Oh, it just doesn’t get better than this!

Mar 10 2008 by Ben Glaze, South Wales Echo

RUGBY fans are gearing up for Saturday’s Grand Slam decider with up to 200,000 supporters set to pack the capital.

The Millennium Stadium clash with France was already a 76,000 sell-out and now tens of thousands more supporters are planning to watch the crunch match in pubs and clubs across South Wales.

Match tickets worth £55 are already trading at 10 times their face value on the internet, with £1,200 being offered for a pair.

Cardiff council and BBC Wales are set to try to recreate the glory of three years ago when more than 10,000 fans flocked to a big screen outside City Hall.

Supporters basked in glorious sunshine and swung from trees as the 2005 team beat Ireland 32-20 just across the city centre.

While Saturday’s game kicks off at 5pm compared with the afternoon start for the 2005 encounter, city leaders are understood to be keen to provide a focal point for the ticket-less army set to invade the capital.

Traffic warden Jo Mahony, 21, would usually work on international day, but she will end up watching this year’s final Championship instalment on television in England.

She said: “I’m going to be at my cousin’s wedding, I’m gutted!

“I watched the 2005 Grand Slam at Creation in Cardiff. The atmosphere was great then and I expect it will be even better on Saturday because it’s a later kick off.

“Everyone is going to want to stay out and if I was in Cardiff I’d definitely want to be in town.”

She was delighted with the Croke Park victory but feared for Welsh chances when scrum half Mike Phillips dropped his knee into Irish prop Marcus Horan.

Jo, of Heath, Cardiff, said: “I didn’t think we would win, especially not when Phillips got sinbinned.

“But I was very impressed with the boys in the end.”

Huw Rees, 25, of Tongwynlais, Cardiff, is lucky enough to have a ticket.

He said: “My best mate managed to get hold of two so we will be there.

“I wouldn’t sell it for any money – I want to be able to say, ‘I was there’ when we win the Slam.

“The atmosphere is going to be awesome, better than last time because now we can show all the doubters that wasn’t a fluke.

“It’s an amazing comeback from the World Cup disaster.”

Saturday’s winner-takes-all clash will bring in millions of pounds for city centre pubs, clubs and restaurants as expectant fans soak up the atmosphere.

Gary Corp, landlord of the Old Arcade pub, said: “The other games have been absolutely fantastic and we were packed to the brim on Saturday, it was a fantastic weekend.

“We’re looking forward to the French coming over because they are good spenders.

“It’s going to be an amazing occasion for the city of Cardiff and Wales as a whole.

“It doesn’t get any better than this and hopefully the weather will be good too.”

Production runner Lloyd Glanville, 24, of Pontprennau, Cardiff, said: “The season has been surprising so far given the World Cup, but it’s definitely a pleasant surprise. Town will be buzzing on Saturday.”

First Minister Rhodri Morgan, 5,000 miles away in China, followed a local custom by ringing a bell 10 times to wish Wales luck ahead of Saturday’s victory over Ireland.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we find ourselves on the verge of a Grand Slam after that fantastic win over Ireland.

“Wales, under the guidance of Warren Gatland, are the form team of the season and have proven without a shadow of a doubt that they have the skills, the passion and the sheer drive to win.”

Come on Wales! Click here to send your good luck messages to the team

ben.glaze@mediawales.co.uk