Having won two Grand Slams in four seasons (in 2004 and 2008), it is no wonder that today's Welsh team is often labelled as the most talented since the golden generation of the 1970s.

Their success is based around a group of talismanic players like Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins who have been around for an age and have experienced highs and lows with the national team.

The trio have flourished under the leadership of Warren Gatland and are regarded as among the world's best in their positions.

Following Wales' embarrassing group-stage exit from the 1997 Rugby World Cup, flanker Williams announced his retirement from the international game, only to be persuaded back into the fold by new coach Gatland.

It was a masterstroke by the New Zealander as the evergreen Williams was named player of the series during Wales' 2008 Grand Slam success and was among the 13 Welshmen picked to tour with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa in the summer of 2009.

Stephen Jones is another leader in the squad and while he is not an outside-half in the traditional Welsh mould, what Jones lacks in pace and trickery he makes up for with control and know-how.
Jones can orchestrate the game superbly and is a solid tackler who is perfectly at ease with Wales' rush defence.

Prop Jenkins is a modern-day dynamic forward who is capable of playing on either side of the scrum. He performs the traditional duties of a prop with aplomb while also putting his team on the front foot by bulldozing around the field.