GWENT rugby legend Bobby Windsor is tipping Wales to get off to a dream start against England on Saturday and go on to win the Grand Slam.
Windsor rates Warren Gatland highly and believes he has the ability to get the best out of talented players in the squad like Gavin Henson.
He thinks the tough new Kiwi coach and his trusted lieutenant Shaun Edwards will bring discipline and an inner steel to the Welsh side - something he believes hasn't been there for years.
A member of the famous Pontypool Front Row, who won 28 caps for Wales during the glory years of the 1970s and played in all four Tests during the Lions' victorious tour of South Africa in 1974, Windsor thinks England will suffer this season from the loss of some of its old guard.
Warriors like Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Corry have decided to call it a day for the World Cup finalists.
And Windsor thinks beating Ireland in Dublin's Croke Park could be Wales' biggest hurdle along the way to repeating the glorious Grand Slam of 2005.
He said: "I really think Wales can win the Grand Slam this year. I think we've got a good chance and will really do well this season.
"I think Gatland's the right man for the job and I think we will turn a corner with him. We've got the makings of a good team."
"He knows how to get the best out of the talented players we've got.
"I think he and Edwards will also bring discipline to the team. That's something we've been lax in for a long time and I mean losing to Fiji in the World Cup!"
When Windsor, who was known as The Duke', was in his prime going to Twickenham and winning wasn't usually a problem for Wales.
He was successful there twice in 1976 and 1978 in opening matches which paved the way for Grand Slams in both years.
Windsor thinks the class of 2008 can emulate the achievements of JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett and fellow Pontypool legend Graham Price: "I think England will struggle this season because they've lost a few old-timers.
"And I think our boys have got to know them by playing against them so often in things like the EDF cup.
"I think Ireland will be our toughest game and we haven't done well out there recently.
"If we beat them - and we should win against Scotland and Italy at home - then there's no reason why we can't beat France for the Grand Slam in Cardiff. This is a new chapter for us."
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