And Bobby Windsor, a team-mate of captain Bennetts during the 1978 Grand Slam season, also believes Wales can end a memorable RBS 6 Nations campaign by beating Ireland and landing the title on Saturday.

Both fly-half magician Bennett and tough-as-teak hooker Windsor starred for Wales during the glorious 1970s.

It is the right time and the right season - the gods are coming together to make it happen, said Bennett.

There is hope again, and it is incredible for the players. Two years ago, Wales were whitewashed and the Welsh Rugby Union were sending players into supermarkets to try to sell tickets.

England were putting 40 or 50 points on us as well, so this has been a long time coming.

Bennett skippered a team that included household names like Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and Gerald Davies, but the class of 2005 is cultivating its own heroes such as Shane Williams, Gavin Henson and Dwayne Peel.

These boys have got a confidence and belief, and they are a young side. Some have not been on the losing side for a while, so theyve got a confidence, not an arrogance which says lets not fear anyone, lets go out and play, added Bennett.

Windsor, part of the revered Pontypool front-row alongside Charlie Faulkner and Graham Price, has relished every moment of Wales campaign, one that began with victory over world champions England and now stands 80 minutes away from a dream finale.

Weve waited so long for this occasion, said Windsor.

Now it is their time, so lets see them do it. People in work are springing about the place - lets forget about the 70s once and for all now.

Mike Ruddock is doing a fabulous job of pulling the boys together, He is a Welshman, which is a good thing, and there is a great atmosphere in the squad.