Tom Shanklin Wales centre

The build-up to our Grand Slam clincher has been strange... I still can't get my head around how we've put ourselves in this position.

After our World Cup disaster, not for one minute did I think we'd be in contention to win another Grand Slam so soon.

To be on the brink of something so special for the second time in four years perhaps exposes how much we under-performed during the World Cup last autumn.

We could lose to France and still win the Six Nations Championship but we don't want the booby prize Tom Shanklin

It wasn't even six months ago when we were eliminated from the World Cup's pool stages and we are determined to make amends for the hurt we felt then on Saturday.

We've always worked and trained hard but our work ethic has increased and intensified, which has mentally toughened us as we know we can compete in the most intense physical battle.

But we are under no illusions that France are the most dangerous and attacking side in the Six Nations.

Les Bleus are very similar to us as they like to keep the ball in play and allow their elusive runners to cause havoc.

So France in Cardiff will be our biggest test defensively of this championship.

A lot of our team have experience of winning a Grand Slam and that will help us on Saturday.

But the confidence gained by winning in two of the toughest environments recently is what will really give us belief.

Defeating England and Ireland on their own patch were tremendous achievements and something we haven't done for too long.

But those victories proved this team has the ability, temperament and mentality to beat the best and it's that faith we need on Saturday when the French come to town.

I just hope we've got one more big game in us.

There is a sense of expectation surrounding this Grand Slam showdown in Wales and remembering the phenomenal high the team experienced after conquering all in 2005, there's a desire and determination to feel that buzz again.

I recall the bus journey to the Millennium Stadium for the Grand Slam decider against Ireland in 2005 and I remember all the fans lining the streets. I just thought 'wow!'

We all know that some of Wales' all-time rugby greats have never won a Grand Slam, so to win two would be an incredible and humbling experience.

A second clean sweep would be a momentous occasion and put some of the guys in an elite bracket of Welsh internationals to taste Grand Slam glory twice. That's a worry!!

We have a desire and determination to feel the phenomenal buzz we experienced in 2005 Tom Shanklin

But we can't worry about how we could be remembered in years to come, we must ensure we do the business on Saturday.

We could lose to France and still win the Six Nations Championship but that would be such an anti-climax.

We've put ourselves in a great position and now we must finish the job, it's down to us and us alone.

If we don't, the last four games - including those memorable wins in England and Ireland - would pretty much count for little.

We don't want the booby prize, we want another Grand Slam. End of story.

*Tom Shanklin was speaking to BBC Sport Interactive's Peter Shuttleworth