Jenkins urges Wales to seal third Slam in eight seasons

Gethin Jenkins has urged Wales to "drive it home" on Saturday and sweep the Six Nations honours board for a third time in eight seasons.

And if Triple Crown holders Wales make it a case of mission accomplished, Jenkins would achieve arguably the most coveted hat-trick in Welsh sport – three Grand Slams.

Jenkins, along with current colleagues Adam Jones and Ryan Jones, was part of Wales' 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam successes. But he believes there is a slightly different feel accompanying the bid for this season's Six Nations title on a day when 250,000 people are expected to cram Cardiff's city-centre streets.

"In 2005, probably because we hadn't won it [the Grand Slam] for so long, it was just that little bit more of an occasion than in 2008," Jenkins said. "In 2008, we had new coaches that had just come in and we weren't really expected to do anything in that tournament. But we just gradually built the momentum, and we were really confident we were going to win the final game [against France].

"We've been favourites in the last two games we have played, and it is not often you can say that about Wales, not when I have been involved. In the past, we haven't been favourites, we've come under the radar."

PA