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| Thousands to watch Grand Slam bid | Thousands to watch Grand Slam bid |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of rugby fans are expected to descend on Cardiff to watch Wales' bid to be crowned Grand Slam champions for the second time in four years. | Thousands of rugby fans are expected to descend on Cardiff to watch Wales' bid to be crowned Grand Slam champions for the second time in four years. |
| Around 75,000 will fill the Millennium Stadium for the showdown with France. | Around 75,000 will fill the Millennium Stadium for the showdown with France. |
| A big screen at the city's civic centre for an audience of some 7,000 is going ahead despite rain. Admission is free on a first-come-first-served basis. | |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan said that, following the World Cup, Wales had staged a "comeback to rival Lazarus". | First Minister Rhodri Morgan said that, following the World Cup, Wales had staged a "comeback to rival Lazarus". |
| He praised head coach Warren Gatland and his team, adding: "They really have instilled that tough-minded winners' mentality into the team. | He praised head coach Warren Gatland and his team, adding: "They really have instilled that tough-minded winners' mentality into the team. |
| "I know they will do well and I'm sure I speak for everyone in Wales when I say that I hope Wales complete the Grand Slam on Saturday." | "I know they will do well and I'm sure I speak for everyone in Wales when I say that I hope Wales complete the Grand Slam on Saturday." |
| Whether Wales can top their Triple Crown victory after beating Ireland last weekend will be revealed after the match kicks off at 1700 GMT. | Whether Wales can top their Triple Crown victory after beating Ireland last weekend will be revealed after the match kicks off at 1700 GMT. |
| The Welsh team will be led out by Manon and Gwenan Gravell, the young daughters of late rugby legend and broadcaster Ray. The stadium roof will be closed for the game. | The Welsh team will be led out by Manon and Gwenan Gravell, the young daughters of late rugby legend and broadcaster Ray. The stadium roof will be closed for the game. |
| The Millennium Stadium is a sell out for the Grand Slam decider | The Millennium Stadium is a sell out for the Grand Slam decider |
| A full road closure will be in place in Cardiff city centre from 1500 GMT until 2000 GMT while 14 roads, including Duke Street, Castle Street Westgate Street, will be closed in their entirety. | A full road closure will be in place in Cardiff city centre from 1500 GMT until 2000 GMT while 14 roads, including Duke Street, Castle Street Westgate Street, will be closed in their entirety. |
| Some roads shut at 0600 GMT and will stay closed until 2100 GMT. | Some roads shut at 0600 GMT and will stay closed until 2100 GMT. |
| Cardiff Council has urged fans to plan their journey carefully, arrive early and be aware of road closures. | Cardiff Council has urged fans to plan their journey carefully, arrive early and be aware of road closures. |
| It advised that public transport is the best way to travel into the city centre, although park and ride sites will be available from J33 of the M4. | It advised that public transport is the best way to travel into the city centre, although park and ride sites will be available from J33 of the M4. |
| The council has teamed up with BBC Wales and South Wales Police to provide the big screen on King Edward VII Avenue. | The council has teamed up with BBC Wales and South Wales Police to provide the big screen on King Edward VII Avenue. |
| Entry began at noon and all three Six Nations matches will be shown live. | Entry began at noon and all three Six Nations matches will be shown live. |
| Thousands turned out for a similar event when Wales beat Ireland in the Grand Slam decider of 2005. | Thousands turned out for a similar event when Wales beat Ireland in the Grand Slam decider of 2005. |
| Bars will be available on site but visitors will not be allowed to bring in their own alcohol. | Bars will be available on site but visitors will not be allowed to bring in their own alcohol. |
| Meanwhile, the WRU was providing a free coach to take fans from the city centre to the Welsh women's rugby international against France at Taffs Well. | Meanwhile, the WRU was providing a free coach to take fans from the city centre to the Welsh women's rugby international against France at Taffs Well. |
| It was due to leave Gate 4 at the Millennium Stadium at noon. | It was due to leave Gate 4 at the Millennium Stadium at noon. |
| Wales are hoping to top their Triple Crown victory | Wales are hoping to top their Triple Crown victory |
| Nigel Howells, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, said: "There's always a fantastic atmosphere in Cardiff on match day and we want to make sure as many people possible will have a chance to see Wales take on France in the crunch match of this year's tournament." | Nigel Howells, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, said: "There's always a fantastic atmosphere in Cardiff on match day and we want to make sure as many people possible will have a chance to see Wales take on France in the crunch match of this year's tournament." |
| One couple hoping for a double celebration on Saturday are Michelle Lewis and Matthew Edwards who will tie the knot in their Merthyr Tydfil hometown before kick off. | One couple hoping for a double celebration on Saturday are Michelle Lewis and Matthew Edwards who will tie the knot in their Merthyr Tydfil hometown before kick off. |
| The pair, who have requested guests wear Wales rugby shirts, met when Wales last won a Grand Slam while watching the game at the White Lion in Aberdare. | The pair, who have requested guests wear Wales rugby shirts, met when Wales last won a Grand Slam while watching the game at the White Lion in Aberdare. |
| Back in Cardiff, St John Wales volunteers, including 140 first-aiders, eight nurses and six doctors, will carry out one of their biggest deployments outside Christmas and New Year. | Back in Cardiff, St John Wales volunteers, including 140 first-aiders, eight nurses and six doctors, will carry out one of their biggest deployments outside Christmas and New Year. |
| Rhodri Jones, commander operations, said: "This is a big weekend, not just for Welsh rugby but also for the dedicated St John members who, week in week out, provide first aid cover across Wales." | Rhodri Jones, commander operations, said: "This is a big weekend, not just for Welsh rugby but also for the dedicated St John members who, week in week out, provide first aid cover across Wales." |