JAMIE Roberts has declared that Wales' Six Nations campaign shows that they are in better shape for the World Cup than four years ago when they were a kick away from the final.

Warren Gatland's men ended the tournament on a high by hammering Italy 61-20 in Rome on Saturday before Ireland responded to take the title on points difference while England also produced a sterling display to finish second.

But Wales have recovered from their opening night horror show against the English and Gatland declared after the match that they will have "no fears" about not making it out of their World Cup group of death that pits them against the hosts, bogey team Australia and tricky customers Fiji.

Roberts believes their notoriously rigorous preparation will ensure that they avoid the slow starts that have traditionally hindered them in the autumn internationals and Six Nations.

"We're definitely a better side than four years ago and we work as hard as anyone in a World Cup build-up," said the Racing Metro centre, who scored the first of eight tries at the Stadio Olimpico.

"We know when we get together for a long period of time we are a bloody good team.

"Looking back to the last World Cup when we had that time together, we really worked hard in putting the hard yards in terms of fitness and technically we know we are a really good side.

"The core of players are still together and there's a lot more experience now after the last World Cup. That preparation period gives us massive scope to work on things and improve our conditioning."

Wales showed in Rome their ability to mix flair with power, playing some scintillating rugby when scoring seven tries in the second half.

Roberts was used as a battering ram in the first half and believes that the softening up process was vital against an Italian side that played their best half of the tournament.

"Some of the attacking rugby in the second half was fantastic," said the centre.

"We went out and scored a lot of points and chucked the ball around. You have got to earn the right to play there.

"The great thing is the composure. We knew that the first half was going to be difficult, all the boys knew we were about to break them and the patience we showed was good.

"That's a sign of a mature side, mature players and a mature team. Ultimately we are pleased with four out of five but we are kicking ourselves about the first game against England."