Gareth Edwards believes Wales must not dwell on the euphoria of the Grand Slam if they are to rival the great team of the 1970s.

Former Wales scrum-half Edwards was at the cornerstone of the legendary team which claimed four Triple Crowns and three Grand Slams and attributed the present team's success to the coaching team of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards.

"It was unexpected," Gareth Edwards said.

"Wales were really looking for a holding season, but Warren Gatland's involvement and that of Shaun Edwards has transformed the whole set-up."

Wales won the Grand Slam in 2005 but struggled to build on the triumph and exited last year's World Cup in the pool stages, leading to the departure of Gareth Jenkins.

But Gatland's side bounced back, opening the Six Nations with a first win against England at Twickenham in 20 years before going on to win the title.

And Gareth Edwards insists the current crop can rival the successes of his team after a second Grand Slam in four seasons.

"There's no real reason why these lads shouldn't get better now that they've got this confidence," added Gareth Edwards, in Hong Kong as an ambassador for HSBC, the sponsors of the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

"After the euphoria of 2005 they seemed to lose their way. It's been interesting to hear some of the players who played in that team saying that mustn't happen again - and they'll be wiser for that.

"That's not to say that they'll win it next year.

"When you're champions or Grand Slammers it inevitably becomes more difficult because people are all out to put you back down to earth."

Northern hemisphere champions Wales play world champions South Africa on their summer tour and Gareth Edwards expects the barometer will be easier to read once that series is complete.

"Maybe in six to 12 months we'll have a far better idea how far we have come," he added.

"But it's there for all to see that there has been a marked improvement."

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