New Wales coach Warren Gatland has urged the nation's demanding supporters "not to expect miracles from day one" whilst promising to wake the sleeping giant.

The 44-year-old New Zealander - an ex-All Blacks hooker - will officially take charge on December 1, having agreed a four-year contract understood to be worth more than £1 million.

Gatland's reign - assuming he lasts the distance - will incorporate Wales' 2011 World Cup challenge in his native country.

He becomes Wales' third Kiwi coach of rugby's professional era, following Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.

Former Ireland boss Gatland, who led Wasps to a hat-trick of Premiership titles from 2003 to 2005 and landed Heineken Cup glory with the Londoners in 2004, succeeds Gareth Jenkins.

Jenkins was sacked in September following a dismal World Cup campaign when Wales failed to progress beyond the pool stage, losing their final game against Fiji in Nantes.

And Wales have now recruited Gatland, who Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis insists was the first-choice candidate, despite Springboks World Cup winner Jake White and New Zealander Robbie Deans also being linked with the post.

Gatland has already met caretaker Wales coach Nigel Davies, who takes charge of the one-off Test against South Africa in Cardiff on November 24, and one of his early tasks will be to assemble a high-class support team.

Wasps coach Shaun Edwards and renowned fitness expert Craig White are among the names being linked with Gatland's Wales.

The opening game of Gatland's tenure will be against World Cup finalists England at Twickenham on February 2 when this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship kicks off.

Gatland said: ``I am totally committed to doing the best job I can, and to put a team out that hopefully the Welsh public will be proud of their performances.

``I know the pressures and expectations that are going to be placed on me in terms of the role I have been given.

``But this was an opportunity and a challenge I couldn't walk away from. As a coach, you always want to coach at the highest level, and I have got that chance again.

``There will be some ups and downs - hopefully more ups than downs - and we can move things forward.

``I am asking people not to expect miracles from day one. It is going to take a little bit of time, putting things in place.

``Being 10th in the world is too low a ranking, and I intend to try and improve that.

``We all want to see some consistency, not a rollercoaster ride, and consistency is a real key for me.''

Gatland's appointment - the worst-kept secret in world rugby for more than a week - came after detailed talks between himself and a three-man WRU team of Lewis, chairman David Pickering and board member Gerald Davies.

But the identity of Gatland's support staff is already a source for debate, although he moved to straight-bat speculation surrounding current Wasps coach Edwards.

Gatland added: ``There is no secret myself and Shaun have had a good working relationship in the past, but as to whether that may go further or not I can't answer that question.

``We are going to see what happens in the South Africa game. I need to sit down with all the guys involved at the moment and talk with them.

``We will work through who are going to be the best people involved, going forward. I am very conscious to make sure there are Welsh people involved.

``Hand on heart, I think there is a moral responsibility for me to develop people - coaches as well, not just players - to take the game forward.

``This is not about me surrounding myself with a team of foreign people and walking away when it is all over. I want to leave something behind.''

As for the players, Gatland spoke of ``a clean slate for everybody,'' and revealed his admiration for brilliant Wales prospect James Hook.

It also appears inconceivable that he will not find a place for Hook's Ospreys colleague Gavin Henson in his Six Nations squad.

Gatland, after watching weekend Heineken Cup games involving the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues, will return home before heading back to Wales later this month.

In the meantime, senior WRU figures will reflect on what they feel is a recruitment job well done.

Lewis said: ``It was clear from our first meetings with Warren that he has the capability, attitude and integrity to deliver for Wales.

``His achievements so far as a player and coach speak for themselves, and he undoubtedly possesses a burning desire for success.

``To achieve the true potential of Welsh rugby we need the right culture, systems and staff, and as a straight-talking, honest and direct man of true integrity, I am sure Warren will fit in well.''