THE last time Welsh fans had the chance to climb rugby's Northern Hemis-phere summit occurred way back in 1978, 27 long years ago. For that was the last occasion Wales scaled the heights of a Grand Slam triumph.

John Dawes was the coach at the time after previously captaining Wales to a Grand Slam and then going on to coach both his country, and the British Lions in New Zealand in 1977.

It was the third time in the seventies Wales won the Grand Slam, a phenomenal achievement and the crowning glory for the great team of that decade.

Dawes gave his team the ultimate accolade when he said after the finale against France at the old Cardiff Arms Park, "Their record is the greatest achievement of any team of any nationality. This team deserves to be recognised as one of the best of all time."

Nothing has happened since that days almost 30 years ago to change Dawes' view. Wales clinched the Grand Slam with a 16-7 victory over their great French rivals, and it was a feat achieved only a fortnight after they had gained a unique three successive Triple Crowns.

And Wales' achievement was marked by the Prime Minster of the day, fellow Welshman James Callaghan inviting the team to 10 Downing Street for a special reception for which I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation.

It was the first time for a national team, as opposed to the British Lions, being honoured in such a way.

Wales went right through the season with virtually the same side as well, another remarkable achievement. Only a thigh injury which forced the withdrawal of great winger Gerald Davies from the final game against France prevented the side going right through unchanged.

Wales' first game of the then Five Nations campaign was against England at Twickenham. The day was dreadful, pouring with rain right through the match, and it was little surprise that the scoring was confined to penalty goals.

Alastair Hignell kicked two for England while Phil Bennett replied with three for Wales to clinch a 9-6 victory for Wales in a hard fought game, Bennett, the Wales captain, taking his points total to 150 in 26 matches.

The next fixture was a home game against Scotland which Wales won comfortably 22-14, though they didn't have it all their own way. They scored four tries, but Scotland replied with two of their own.

It represented contrasting fortunes among the Welsh try scorers, for it was the great Gareth Edwards' 20th try for his country compared with the first for Ray Gravell and Derek Quinnell, father of Scott and Craig Quinnell.

Scotland's two tries were scored by centre Jim Renwick and lock Alan Tomes, Doug Morgan kicking two penalties while Bennett landed a penalty and dropped goal for Wales.

Next up was Ireland at Lansdowne Road and for the third game in a row Wales were able to field an unchanged team. Now this was a real humdinger, a fierce clash between two well matched teams, a real physical encounter when no quarter was asked or given.

The Welsh team were utterly exhausted after an intense battle when they had to dredge up every last bit of energy to triumph against an Irish side which went at them with a vengeance.

Wales shot into a 13-3 lead courtesy of a try (worth four points in those days) and three penalties by centre Steve Fenwick. But Ireland fought back - literally almost - with a try by scrum half John Moloney and two penalties and a dropped goal by Tony Ward to level the scores.

But Wales managed one more attack which ended with Fenwick putting J J Williams flying over in the corner for the decisive try. Fenwick and Ward exchanged penalties after that, but it was all over and Wales had won the triple Triple Crown.

Cardiff Airport was at fever pitch when the team returned home, thousands thronging the terminal to welcome their heroes back.

Two weeks later came the France game, that 16-7 victory and another Grand Slam. Wales managed one final effort, inspired by their captain Bennett who became the first Wales outside half since Newport's Raymond Ralph in 1931 to score two tries in an international.

Bennett converted one while Edwards and Steve Fenwick each dropped a goal. Flanker Jean-Claude Skrela scored a try for France and outside half Bernard Vivies dropped a goal, making three in the match.

But there was no stopping Wales from one of their greatest triumphs.

The team included the Pontypool front row of Tony Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price, plus back row pair Jeff Squire and Terry Cobner.

The side, which played right through, apart from the France game when Newport wing Gareth Evans replaced Gerald Davies, was: JPR Williams, JJ Williams, R Gravell, S Fenwick, G Davies, P Bennett, G Edwards, A Faulkner, R Windsor, G Price, G Wheel, A Martin, J Squire, D Quinnell, T Cobner.