THE beauty about Wales' first Grand Slam for 27 years is not just that they are back in the big time, not that they have regained their rightful place on the world stage, but that it's the start of a new golden age.

I say that with a great degree of confidence based not just on what has been achieved in this wondrous season, but on a vast array of evidence.

It's not to state that Wales will win five Triple Crowns and three Grand Slams in the next decade as did their predecessors from the 1970s - competition in now too severe for that - but Wales will be right up there winning and challenging for honours for years to come.

The basic proof of that comes from the certain knowledge Wales have got the right team on and off the field, not only for success now, but also for some time into the future.

Obviously, the team has performed where it matters most - on the pitch. Not only that but replacements have been called on and have slotted in perfectly to the game plan.

Who would have thought at the start of the Six Nations that not only would Wales win the Grand Slam and Triple Crown but that they would achieve the Northern Hemisphere ultimate without some first choice players?

Colin Charvis and Sonny Parker fell by the wayside before the tournament even started, then Dafydd Jones went and finally skipper Gareth Thomas joined the list of absentees.

But up stepped Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin, Ryan Jones and Kevin Morgan who all played so well that only Thomas can be sure of his place when he's fit again, and then probably on the right wing with Morgan remaining at full back.

Off the field it's been right as well with Scott Johnson a vastly underrated skills coach, Andrew Hore now recognised as the finest fitness trainer in the business, Clive Griffiths in charge of defence, Alun Carter the analysis and Alan Phillips the team organisation.

They were all in place anyway, steadily making strides for sure, so what, therefore, was the difference this time around?

The answer lies in two simple words. Mike Ruddock. He is the man who has drawn it all together, he is the coach who has galvanised the squad, he has got them playing the Welsh way, he has given the game back to the players and to the people, he is the guy who has allowed greater freedom, self expression, he is the coach who pays great attention to detail, plans tactics down to the last centimetre and, first and foremost, enables players and fans to enjoy themselves again.

Yet he did exactly the same with Newport Gwent Dragons last season when his abilities were so evident to a few but have now become apparent to everyone.

It all led to a great outpouring of national pride on Saturday from the queues ten deep along the pavements into the city, to the 74,00 packed inside the world's greatest rugby stadium making a noise so loud that it was deafening, to just as many gathering in front of the giant screen at Cardiff civic centre, to even more again watching in pubs clubs and homes, to the many Welsh ex-pats, to the soldiers in Iraq.

The feeling of triumph washed over them all, they aroused the passions as never before and it felt good to be Welsh again, it felt good to be right up with the best in the world, it felt good to have done it in style.

And now we await an open top bus parade through the streets of the capital, we await a large chunk of Welsh players selected for the British Lions tour to New Zealand this summer and we wait for more glories.

For Wales are planning for the future, there is proper funding for the Academies within the regions and the Under-21s have won the Grand Slam as well.

There are many young stars there and of the team which beat Ireland for the Grand Slam triumph at Neath last Friday I would single out Swansea lock Aled Wyn Jones, Cardiff wing Chris Czekaz, Newport scrum half James Ireland and Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop as players who will make it. There will probably be more.

So the future is rosy and built on solid foundations, not the straw which former England coach Dick Best so foolishly said before the big Grand Slam showdown.

How sheepish he must feel now. In fact, after this glorious triumph by Wales we could ask who needs England now?

As Wales captain Michael Owen says, it's up to the players to take the Welsh style back to the regions, it's time for petty bickering to stop and it's time for the public to get behind their teams until the next time the best side of them all, Team Wales, gets together again in the Autumn.

The entire Six Nations has been awash with victories and glorious moments, but for me the highlight was the second half against France.

Wales had been outplayed during the first half as the French showed some of their old style but far from being sunk without trace, they came out and took the game to the French, stormed into the lead and then withstood a mighty battering in the closing minutes.

What a 40 minutes that was, almost equalled by the next 40 in Scotland with Wales playing some truly magical rugby.

The first victory over England in Cardiff for 12 years was a true highlight and the final crowning glory against Ireland the icing on the cake.

On the playing front there was Martyn Williams whose career has been rejuvenated, Dwayne Peel for individual brilliance, Shane Williams for his dazzling runs, especially in France, Stephen Jones for his organisation and maturity, Gethin Jenkins for his mighty power, Brent Cockbain for his graft in the face of personal family tragedy, Ryan Jones for his thundering arrival on the international scene, Michael Owen for his sheer footballing skills, and Gavin Henson for that mighty kick against England plus his mass appeal to all and one - Charlotte Church.

It's all taken Welsh rugby into the stratosphere. The good times are well and truly back. Long may they continue!