IF any group of people deserve the glory days to return to Welsh rugby it's the fans.

For the Welsh rugby fans are the best in the world - by a long way.

They have proved that time and again by showing so much of that under-used word today - loyalty.

They have stuck with Wales through thick and thin, during the hard times which have dominated the past few decades, as well as the odd good year like 1988 (the last Triple Crown) and 1994 (the last championship title).

Given some of the despair of the past 20 or 30 years, who else would have stuck with their country for so long?

Upwards of 20,000 fans have regularly travelled by land, sea and air to Scotland and Ireland, in particular, supporting their side, very often without tickets and without a hope of getting one.

But they've been there giving their loyal support, partly because of the craic, of course, but mainly to urge their side on even when there has been scant hope of success.

Now at long last the great days are back and Wales are but one game - against Ireland today - from achieving their first Grand Slam for 27 years.

So what will it mean to those thousands and thousands of fans in the stadium, at home, in the pubs and clubs, ex-pats living abroad, people on holiday, anyone, anywhere who is Welsh? Everything, is the answer.

For people will be able to hold their heads up in the world again, a sense of pride will have returned to the nation and beyond.

In the short term, of course, if the ultimate prize is achieved today, the biggest winners will be the brewers.

For new records will be set in the consumption of beer, landlords and staff will be rushed off their feet to meet the demand and, doubtless, there will be gigantic hangovers in the morning.

Absenteeism will probably be rife on Monday morning as the nation recovers, but even then there will be a sense of wellbeing for days, weeks and months to come.

Pride will be back, dignity will be restored and the Welsh economy generally will receive a huge boost.

Even taking the weekend alone there won't be any spare rooms in hotels, guest houses or any other accommodation in Cardiff, Gwent or for miles around as hordes and hordes descend on South Wales.

The Cardiff and Welsh economy will receive a massive shot in the arm, and the benefits could last for years to come.

Then there is the feelgood factor which the Welsh Rugby Union must, and will, tap into.

The signs of the first green shoots of recovery are there already, with the massive debt being brought under control, Academy funding realised and the prospect of more money being generated for the good of the game.

So the evidence is there - the big Welsh rugby revival is on.

Wales is gasping for some success on the rugby field, they've worked hard for it - and, boy, do those fans deserve it.