THE Welsh rugby team were welcomed as heroes last night as they stepped back on to home soil after their World Cup exploits.

The welcome they received from more than 100 fans gathered at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel confirmed they had won back their place in the hearts of the Welsh public after stirring performances against New Zealand and England.

After the team were greeted to the tune of Bread of Heaven, sung by the Cardiff Athletic Club Choir, WRU president Sir Tasker Watkins said the players had covered themselves with glory despite going down to England in the quarter-finals.

He said: "What they have proved is that they are first-class exponents of playing Welsh rugby in a Welsh way.

"In doing that they have re-established their position as one of the best rugby football teams in the world."

Turning to the players, coaches and management, Sir Tasker said: "Thank you very much for rescuing the name of Wales in the rugby world."

Captain Colin Charvis dismissed speculation about his future, but did say the team would be working hard over the next few months and hoping to bring home some silverware after the Six Nations tournament.

Man of the moment Shane Williams, who was thronged by autograph-hunters and well-wishers, said he was taken aback by the welcome the team had received.

"Honest to God, it is really weird, because you don't see what it is like out in Australia," said the pint-sized Ospreys winger.

"You don't hear much about Wales out there until you come home to a reception like this. It is brilliant, and something I didn't expect."

Although the players were happy to be reunited with their families, many couldn't hide their disappointment at not being able to extend their run in the tournament.

Blaenavon-born centre Mark Taylor said: "I think people didn't expect us to get as far as we did. At the end of the day we have lost our last two games, so we are not going to get carried away, but at least we have proved we can play at the highest level.

"The feeling after both the England and New Zealand games was that we could have and should have won them."

Angela Sheppard, from Woodlands Drive, Newport, turned out to welcome the team - on her 18th birthday.

She said: "I came here because the boys did really well.

"They got as far as I thought they would, but they played a lot better than I expected."