WALES won the Grand Slam for the first time in the golden decade of the 70s in 1971 - a season which included one of the all-time great games, the last gasp 19-18 victory over Scot-land at Murrayfield.

But it all began with a convincing 22-6 victory over England at Cardiff Arms Park when the forwards paved the way, as so often during the decade.

They swept the English eight away and half backs Gareth Edwards and Barry John cashed in with glorious performances.

Winger Gerald Davies scored two tries and winger John Bevan added another. John landed two dropped goals, JPR Williams kicked a penalty and John Taylor put two conversions over. England replied with a try by number eight Charlie Hannaford with full back Peter Rossbor-ough kicking a penalty.

Then came that Scotland-Wales epic, a match which has gone down in rugby folklore for a last minute touchline conversion of a Gerald Davies try by John Taylor which won the game for Wales.

Scotland led four times and Wales three, with Scottish centre Chris Rea breaking free and hurtling over the line for an 18-14 lead with five minutes left.

Peter Brown decisively missed the conversion which gave Wales just the scope they needed for that one point win, Taylor putting the vital conversion over left footed from far out on the right touchline.

The next hurdle was Ireland at the Arms Park with a final scoreline similar to the England game, Wales cantering home 23-9.

Gerald Davies scored two more tries, taking his total to five in three matches, and Edwards also nabbed two. John kicked two penalties, a conversion and a dropped goal, Ireland confined to three Mike Gibson penalties.

That gave Wales the Triple Crown and then came the Grand Slam triumph when Wales got the better of France at Stade Colombes, three French national grounds ago, 9-5, their first Grand Slam triumph for 19 years.

Benoit Dauga put France ahead with a try (then worth just three points) converted by Pierre Villepreux before Gareth Edwards hit back with an astonishing try. JPR Williams intercepted near his own line and set off on an 80 yard run until Edwards appeared at his side to flash over for a great try.

John kicked a penalty and then shot through a gap for a try to clinch victory and the Grand Slam.