Thomas keen to rekindle the spirit of 2005

Mar 11 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

WALES’ Triple Crown winning stars are preparing themselves for their modern day Grand Slam sequel this Saturday when they take on France in the Six Nations title showdown at the Millennium Stadium.

Hundreds of thousands of people descended on Cardiff on March 19, 2005, to watch Mike Ruddock’s side defeat Ireland and claim the Principality’s first Grand Slam for 28 years.

Now, remarkably, Warren Gatland’s men are on course to emulate this achievement as they look for another Six Nations clean sweep by defeating the unpredictable French in Cardiff for the first time since 1996.

The loyal band of Welsh rugby supporters will be there once more three years on, with flanker Jonathan Thomas admitting memories of 2005 still linger with the squad.

"Playing for Wales at the Millennium Stadium for the Grand Slam is what you dream of," said Thomas, who is one of the survivors from the current squad who featured against Ireland that day.

"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 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 streets of Cardiff.

"When you grow up that you dream of being a part of occasions like that and it is wonderful to be involved twice in four years.

"It makes it all the more special because we have been through bad times together over the last 12 to 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 into how things have been turned around."

Thomas is hoping Wales can handle the pressure again three years on and believes the 2005 experience can inspire the class of 2008.

"It is a big game against France and we have to make sure we focus," said Thomas.

"The danger is that because of the hype that surrounds this game and the fact we are going for the Grand Slam, we could be 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 circumstances with a change in the coaching staff and some new players.

"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."

Thomas was a replacement that day but since then he has established himself as a permanent fixture in the Wales back-row and has been a revelation during this tournament.

The Ospreys flanker has formed a formidable loose forward combination back-row alongside captain Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams, with the trio forming the only unchanged unit in all the Six Nations clashes.

"All of us offer something different in the back-row and it is working well at the moment," said Thomas, who is only one of seven players who have started all four matches (the others being Williams, Jones, Lee Byrne, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams and Ian Gough).

"From a personal point of view I love playing with the likes of Ryan and Martyn because they are world-class players."

And that back-row trio were at the heart of the impressive forward effort that set up the Triple Crown win in Dublin last Saturday.

"You take huge satisfaction when you have won like somewhere in Dublin," said Thomas.

"I have been part of Welsh squads over the last couple of years that have been out to Ireland and had pretty poor results. Everybody was going to be judging us on that game despite how well we played in our first three games.

"So it was the ultimate test for us to go somewhere to Croke Park and get a result. Since the first result against England confidence has been a huge part of our game and this win in Dublin has really boosted us."

But Thomas also reflects the refreshing attitude of Warren Gatland’s squad by admitting Wales should have beaten Ireland by more points and warned they will have to be more clinical against France this weekend.

"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," said Thomas.

"France are probably the most dangerous side in the championship. But if we turn up and do the basics hopefully that will enough to win the tournament and another Grand Slam."

gareth.griffiths@mediawales.co.uk