The Grand Slam champagne tasted all the sweeter to Wales captain Ryan Jones because of the injury hell he has been through over the last three years.

BRING on the world champions!

RYAN JONES will carry the Welsh flag into battle against France today, determined to lead his country to a 10th Grand Slam and a place in Welsh rugby history.

Gavin Henson is aiming for a “10 out of 10” performance in Wales’ Grand Slam showdown with France at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.

Ireland have the early start today, a 1.15 kick-off at Croke Park in the RBS 6 Nations as they seek to deny the unbeaten Welsh a Triple Crown and keep their own tilt at the title alive.

Wales 47 Italy 8

ENGLAND are missing a trick in not following France’s lead and looking long-term towards the 2011 World Cup, according to Les Bleus defence coach David Ellis.

WARREN GATLAND’S hopes of leading the British and Irish Lions on next year’s tour of South Africa have been dented after the Welsh Rugby Union claimed they had every right to block his appointment.

Warren Gatland’s hopes of leading the British and Irish Lions on next year’s tour of South Africa have been dented after the Welsh Rugby Union claimed they had every right to block his appointment.

Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel will start in the half-backs against Italy a week on Saturday after Wales head coach Warren Gatland made six changes to the side that beat Scotland.

Warren Gatland has named a record 13 Ospreys in the Wales starting line-up to face England in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash at Twickenham.

CARETAKER coach Nigel Davies insists the door should not be closed on any player as Wales attempt to bounce back from their World Cup woes.

Gavin Henson has been recalled by Wales to the preliminary squad for their one-off Test against world champions South Africa this month.

Wales World Cup captain Gareth Thomas has lifted the lid on his side’s early elimination from the tournament.

SCOTT JOHNSON was surprised to learn he had been installed as favourite to replace Gareth Jenkins as Wales head coach.

THE Welsh Rugby Union acted swiftly and decisively to sack head coach Gareth Jenkins less than 24 hours after Wales crashed out of the World Cup after defeat to Fiji.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas insists his men are ready to face down their biggest challenge since the 2005 Grand Slam and produce a “defining” victory over Australia.

Tom Shanklin has launched a staunch defence of under-fire Wales centre partner and World Cup skipper Gareth Thomas.

Gareth Thomas will captain Wales at the World Cup next month.

WALES’ fitness guru Mark Bennett yesterday looked to bury the conspiracy theories surrounding Gavin Henson by revealing head coach Gareth Jenkins had no option but to cut him from the World Cup squad.

Wales suffered a major injury blow this morning when it was confirmed number eight Ryan Jones had been ruled out of the World Cup.

Wales 27 England 18

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton has ignored struggling Wales’ miserable RBS 6 Nations season and predicted possibly his team’s “toughest game of the tournament” on Saturday.

Ireland's remain fifth in the latest IRB world rankings, but have narrowed the gap on fourth-placed South Africa.

Eddie O’Sullivan insists the Triple Crown remains a coveted prize despite Ireland’s recent dominance over the home nations creating a “blase” attitude to their success.

Dwayne Peel will become the youngest Wales player to reach 50 caps when he runs out against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Wales 9 Ireland 19

WALES head coach Gareth Jenkins has wasted no time in pencilling James Hook into his World Cup squad after the rookie fly-half made a starring home debut in Saturday’s thrilling draw with Australia.

Stephen Jones has been handed the Wales captaincy through to next year’s World Cup in France.

Gareth Jenkins has been appointed as Wales’ new coach – two years after he was overlooked for the post.

SCOTT JOHNSON yesterday ended speculation over his future by confirming he is to join Australia’s coaching team — ending the Welsh Rugby Union’s hopes of retaining his services.

MIKE RUDDOCK insisted last night he was not forced from the job of Wales head coach by player power.