It's déjà vu for Jonathan Thomas

Jonathan Thomas always had a dream he could be part of a Wales Grand Slam but never believed he would get the chance to experience two Six Nations clean sweeps.

Jonathan Thomas always had a dream he could be part of a Wales Grand Slam but never believed he would get the chance to experience two Six Nations clean sweeps.

An estimated 250,000 descended on Cardiff for Wales' 2005 Grand Slam game with Ireland and three years later 25-year-old Thomas is looking forward to a similar party atmosphere in the Welsh capital in this Saturday's title decider with France.

The French need to win by 20 clear points to wrestle the title from Wales' grasp – something Thomas and his unbeaten Wales colleagues are determined will not happen.

“Playing for Wales at the Millennium Stadium for the Grand Slam is what you dream of,” said Thomas, one of ten survivors from the 2005 squad.

“I can still remember vividly that day in 2005. My overriding memory was the bus journey into Cardiff.

“Playing for Wales is one of the most special things you will ever experience and you always look forward to seeing the supporters when you are go into the stadium.

“But that day it blew all the players' minds as we struggled to take in actually how many people were there supporting you. There were literally thousands of fans and it was just a sea of red through the Cardiff streets.”

Since Wales' limp World Cup exit at the hands of Fiji last October new coach Warren Gatland has transformed the nation's fortunes and only 80 minutes now separate them from a championship clean sweep following victories over England, Scotland, Italy and Ireland.

“When you grow up you dream of being a part of occasions like that and it is wonderful to be involved twice in four seasons,” said Thomas.

“It makes it all the more special because we have been through bad times together over the last 12 or 18 months.

“We have worked really hard and not to achieve what we wanted during the World Cup was so disappointing. So to be going for the Grand Slam so soon after is a testament to the players and the coaches how things have been turned around.”

“It is a big game against France and we have to make sure we focus.

“The danger is that because of the hype that surrounds this game and the fact we are going for the Grand Slam we could getting carried away and wrapped up in it all.

“We just have to remember what has worked for us so far in the Six Nations Championship and we have to do that again this week and hopefully the result will look after itself.

“There are some different players and coaches in the staff although there are some different circumstances. But the players who have been through that in 2005 would be helped by that experience and we would love for the end result to be the same.”

But despite winning the Triple Crown the high standards demanded by Gatland means there is still plenty to work on.

“To come out of that game with a victory was great but we blew a few chances and there is a lot to work on,” added Thomas.