2003 was a rollercoaster year for the Welsh national side.

Humiliated by a Six Nations whitewash, starting with a defeat to Italy in Rome, they went Down Under in the autumn and shocked both New Zealand and England with scintillating moments of fearless attacking rugby.

The question the 2004 Six Nations will answer is did they flatter to deceive in Australia or are we witnessing a resurgence of the proud rugby traditions of the principality?

Looking back at the World Cup in the cold light of day, you could certainly argue the former.

When they avenged themselves over Italy in Canberra the beleaguered Azzurri were playing their fourth game in 14 days.

And the All Blacks had already qualified when the teams met, and did not seem to realise they were in a match until the last 20 minutes.

So by the time they encountered nervy pretenders England, Welsh self-belief was higher than it had been for years - and brought them within reach of a famous victory before class eventually told.

Nevertheless, if captain and flanker Colin Charvis can put in the kind of inspirational performances he produced Down Under the Welsh side could upset any team in the world - especially with the explosive pace and flair of Mark Jones and Shane Williams on the wings.

The crunch will come in the opening fixture against Scotland at the Millenium Stadium on Valentine's Day.

If Wales can retain the momentum and confidence of those Antipodean displays, they could certainly turn over a transitional Scottish side and give themselves something to build on for the rest of the campaign.

Defeat in Cardiff on the other hand could trigger the kind of slump Steve Hansen's team experienced last time out. That, of course, ended of course with a wooden spoon.

If Hansen is to have the swansong he desires, this relatively youthful side must first prove to themselves that the golden moments Down Under were not a mirage, but the beginning of a brave new world.

Wales' strength will lie in the kind of free-flowing attacks from the three-quarter line which ripped the All Blacks apart in November.

This relies on the pack producing clean ball for them to work with, and on Charvis' men keeping their discipline and techique.

But their reliance on confidence as a team and a propensity for unforced errors could see them flounder against well-organised Six Nations defences.