With the fireworks, the champagne and 75,000 screaming fans, Tom Shanklin felt like more like Tom Jones after Wales sealed their Grand Slam triumph.

The Millennium Stadium was rocking under the closed roof to the sounds of Queen and the 'Delilah' crooner himself after Wales beat France on Saturday night.

"The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant," said Shanklin.

"It was so hard to hear the boys out there. You can hear the crowd all the way through - but I really heard it with about two minutes to go,

"The crowd erupted and I looked up at the screen where they had focused in on the Six Nations cup.

"We knew we had won it at that point because they had to score twice. Then it felt like I was a rock star, drinking champagne in front of 75,000 people!"

Shanklin and Wales had produced a remarkable performance on the biggest stage in northern hemisphere rugby to seal their second Grand Slam triumph in four years and join rugby's immortals.

Some of the great names in Welsh rugby history like Phil Bennett and Ray Gravell won two Grand Slams during the 1970s.

Today, Shanklin's name sits alongside them after Wales reinvented themselves following the World Cup disappointments to be crowned kings of Europe.

"It is strange really. It doesn't sink in for a while what you have done. We definitely deserved to win it - but it still feels weird," said Shanklin.

"In 2005 we had a good run of form beforehand but this time we had a very poor run of form at the World Cup. To win a Grand Slam after that is brilliant.

"I am a little bit surprised but it was down to our work rate and intensity on the pitch. Once we sealed the win in Ireland I thought it would take a great team to stop us."

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