Wales can afford to lose by 18 points to France at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and still be crowned champions.

In the cold light of day, a Triple Crown and an RBS 6 Nations title would be an impressive return just five months after Wales crashed out of the World Cup.

But Shanklin, having tasted Grand Slam glory in 2005, only has eyes for the biggest prize of all.

“I just want to win another Grand Slam. We are on the verge of something special and it is in our hands,” said Shanklin.

“Whatever happens this weekend it has been a successful championship for Wales and of course it would be great to finish first.

“But we have won four from four and now I want to win one more. This is the big game.”

It may be the big game, but Shanklin's father, Jim, will barely be able to watch as his son strives for a second Grand Slam and rugby immortality in Wales.

Shanklin senior won four Wales caps on the wing alongside Grand Slam heroes like JPR Williams and Gareth Edwards.

He played in the 1973 Five Nations championship which finished in a five-way tie, although today Wales would have been crowned champions on points difference.

“The history of the occasion probably hits him more than me. He played in the 1970s but he has followed Welsh rugby through all of it,” said Shanklin, who was born in London but turned down England's overtures to follow his father into a Wales jersey.

“My Mum is a mad Taff but Dad can't watch games brilliantly. He just gets too nervous. He probably knows the history of the game better than I do. All I see is that we are after another Grand Slam.”

Preparations are considerably different to Jim Shanklin's day and while Wales expect their toughest test of the championship this weekend, they will not die wondering.

Under Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, Wales have developed a tougher edge through intense training sessions and punishing fitness regimes, bordering on the brutal.

It has paid dividends. Wales have finished strongly in all four matches to date and Shanklin is ready to defy the pain barrier once again this weekend.

Two weeks ago Edwards brought in Paul Stridgeon, the former Commonwealth Games wrestler and strength and conditioning coach, who put the Wales squad through their toughest ever training session.

“The mentality the coaches are trying to drill into us is to work through the pain,” said Shanklin.

“They are trying to toughen us up. I twisted my ankle against Ireland but didn't want to go down until the clock stopped.

“This guy came in from Warrington and a lot of the boys were saying it was an out of body experience because it was just so hard.”