New-look side revive Welsh hopes

Gavin Henson (right) has played a starring role in the Welsh revival

After a series of glorious near-misses against rugby's big guns, Wales finally claimed a major scalp when they beat England in the Six Nations earlier this month.

When they followed up with a comfortable win away to Italy and an even more impressive victory in Paris, talk of a Welsh revival was ratcheted up another gear.

Here BBC Sport looks at the reasons for the recent improvement in the performances of a proud rugby nation.

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH PROFESSIONALISM

When the major rugby nations embraced professionalism their top players were rapidly up to speed with the idea that their entire lifestyle had to change.

This seemed to take longer in Wales, where a "beer and fags" lifestyle lingered on at club level.

Nowadays the Welsh squad is as fit and focused as any in the world, for which fitness coach Andrew Hore must take much of the credit.

And their much-improved fitness is visible in 80-minute performances every time they take the field, rather than blowing up in the closing stages.

REGIONAL RUGBY

Captain Thomas (left) and coach Ruddock make a good team

The decision to form five regions, then four with the demise of the Celtic Warriors, has had a positive effect on the national team, although it remains a hugely controversial decision.

The move to regional rugby has angered many Welsh rugby fans because it has sidelined some famous old clubs.

But there is no doubt that concentrating the top Welsh players in a handful of clubs has raised standards - previously the game was trying to sustain nine professional clubs.

Even with serious doubt over the future of the Dragons, with backer Tony Brown pulling the plug, the overall structure is now more suited to a professional game.

Add in the advent of the Celtic League, for all its faults more competitive than the old Welsh League, and the long-term benefits should be seen in the future.

KIWI COACHING DUO

One of the main reasons for the Welsh improvement can be put at the door of the two New Zealanders who coached Wales - Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.

Henry did much to introduce a professional mentality at the top of the Welsh game and he set the tone for the future.

The fitness of the players has helped! They always lagged in the last 20, now they are going at the same pace at 90 mins as they are at the start From D Have your say on Scrum V

Hansen was not rated by many as a coach but he did good work behind the scenes instilling a professional attitude and getting rid of those who wouldn't evolve.

The combined efforts of the two New Zealanders laid the platform for a Welsh resurgence which may be about to flower.

MIKE RUDDOCK

Mike Ruddock has reaped the benefits of the work done by the men before him and taken the team onto a higher plane.

He has inherited a talented squad with a good combination of exciting youngsters - Gavin Henson and Michael Owen - and quality veterans - Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams - and instilled a winning mentality in them.

He had an excellent record before taking the reins and has confirmed the faith shown him in by the Welsh Rugby Union when they turned to him ahead of the candidates on its short list.

He has found a competitive tight-five and appointed an inspirational captain in Thomas.

With confidence flowing through the XV he has got the team playing the sort of fluid, fast-paced game beloved of their fans, and the fact he is Welsh has not hurt either.