Warren Gatland hailed his "fantastic ambassadors" after a stunning quarter-final victory over Ireland kept Wales firmly on course for World Cup glory.

In the wake of a 22-10 triumph, Wales coach Gatland could not conceal his sense of pride in a squad that has taken New Zealand by storm over the past month.

They went within a point of matching reigning world champions South Africa, but then reeled off successive victories over Samoa, Namibia, Fiji and now Ireland, scoring 25 tries in the process.

Wales never trailed in a gripping last-eight encounter, and although Ireland recovered from an interval deficit to tie the game at 10-10, tries from scrum-half Mike Phillips and centre Jonathan Davies set up a semi-final against France next Saturday.

The last time the countries met, in Paris almost seven months ago, France won 28-9, but there has never been a World Cup contest between them.

"The boys knew that we were either going home on Monday or we were here until the end of the tournament," Gatland said.

"I spoke to the boys before the game and said they had been fantastic ambassadors. They have worked so hard on and off the pitch, but we were not ready to go home yet.

"We know we are in good shape physically. We've felt we have got better and better as this competition has gone on.

"I don't want to sound arrogant at all, but we were very confident before the game that we were capable of winning reasonably comfortably.

"I do not think any team has worked as hard as we have in the last four or five months.

"Those guys went through some pain (during the World Cup build-up), and when you do that it brings guys together and it galvanises a team.

"I feel that the balance in the team is the best we have ever had." Tweet