Wales can complete a clean sweep for the second time in Warren Gatland’s four-year tenure as head coach with victory over Philippe St Andre’s side at the Millennium Stadium.

Warburton missed last weekend’s 24-3 win over Italy, his second absence in this year’s tournament, after being ruled out of the Scotland game with a dead leg picked up against Ireland.

But the openside came through a rigorous fitness test on his knee on Monday and took part in Tuesday’s afternoon session with Wales prepared to wait until the last minute to clear him to play.

Ospreys’ Justin Tipuric proved more than capable cover against the Azzurri but Jenkins is hopeful Wales will have their talisman back to face Les Bleus.

“Fingers crossed, Sam is going pretty well,” said Jenkins. “With him being captain and as good a player as he is we will give him as long as possible.

“Sam has been an outstanding player for us over the last couple of years. As captain he has been incredible.

“But when someone drops there are people to come in and step up and Justin Tipuric was fantastic for us last weekend.”

Gatland’s men suffered an agonising 9-8 World Cup semi-final defeat to Marc Lievremont’s France in October with Warburton sent off for a challenge on Vincent Clerc.

Now France will be looking to bounce back from defeat to England last weekend to end their campaign on a high by wrecking Wales’ Grand Slam dream, and Jenkins believes the home side should be wary of a Gallic backlash.

“We are playing a side we haven't beaten since 2008, who were unlucky to lose the World Cup final and who beat us in the semi-finals. We are under no illusions as to how hard it is going to be.

“They have some fantastic players and last weekend's defeat will only have hurt them more and they will want to come out and prove a point on Saturday.”