Two former Welsh greats have voiced their opinions on the appointment of New Zealand’s Warren Gatland as the coach of their national side.

Barry John, who many in New Zealand remember as the outstanding first five of the 1971 British and Irish Lions tour, has said that Gatland was the right man for the job.

"Unlike our former New Zealand friends, Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, you've not come in and tried to impose yourself on the Welsh set-up, rather taken the practical step of trying to find out exactly who we are first," John wrote in his Wales on Sunday column.

"He comes over to me as someone who sees the bigger picture, that it's not a sprint but a long race, and he's impressed me in the starting blocks at least."

John believes Gatland's experience coaching in the Northern Hemisphere, with Ireland and Wasps, proved he was not a prone to panicking but rather someone who could quietly go about assessing things.

He also referred to comments made by former Welsh halfback Rob Howley who Gatland coached at Wasps. Howley said Gatland came across as an intelligent man who would analyse and absorb what was happening around him.

"I believe that of all the big names that have been flashing around the world looking for prestigious posts, somehow we've got the right man.

"I know New Zealand rugby, so I know the familiarities the former All Black will feel here. In fact, it'll be just like home, with every little detail of Welsh rugby pounced upon by media and men in the street in equally large measures," he said.

Welsh legend Gareth Edwards also spoke about Gatland’s appointment, but was a little more cautious in his appraisal.

"He certainly ticks all the boxes and has all the coaching credentials and experience to do a fine job with Wales," Edwards said in the Western Mail.

"But we must make sure that we do not all get carried away with the excitement and raging optimism that is sure to engulf us all following the capture of such a high-profile appointment.

"In Wales, we have a tendency to build up our coaches and knock them down just as quickly. (Graham) Henry and Gareth Jenkins are testament to that.

"There will be no instant reversal of fortunes or quick fixes but just a lot of hard work ahead to turn around our fortunes.

"What is in his favour is he will know enough of the talents of the Wales players having watched the World Cup. He may have been coaching in New Zealand, but he will still have a good enough idea of what challenge he is taking on," Edwards said.