Wales will secure the RBS 6 Nations title, Grand Slam and Triple Crown if they beat Millennium Stadium visitors - and fellow championship contenders - Ireland on Saturday.

And it is all such a stark contrast from even just two years ago, when Wales suffered an embarrassing whitewash.

Prior to the current campaign, Wales had only won eight Six Nations games in five seasons, a record only one victory better than Scotlands.

But having gone so far up the ladder this term, Neath-Swansea Ospreys forward Thomas is determined there will not be any late slips.

The boys went through a wooden spoon season in the Six Nations two years ago, and when you go through dark days like that, you come together as a group, he said.

Everyone is aware that it is such a huge occasion on Saturday, and one of the biggest games in Welsh rugby for a long, long time. But we cant get too caught up in the occasion and lose sight of what we are trying to do.

If that happens, we might not go out and perform. We need to focus on what has got us in the position we are, and not on what we are trying to win.

Thomas has proved a key element of Wales Grand Slam bid, both in the starting XV and off the bench this term.

And, with a back-row replacement role beckoning again on Saturday, he is ready to play his part once more.

Its difficult to say how Ireland will react from losing to France last weekend, but we know theyve got some great backs, a very good driving lineout and a strong back-row.

''Also in contact, they are very good at stealing opposition ball, Thomas added.

We play against their guys a lot in the Celtic League, and they are very experienced people who know how to play on the big occasion.

We are very aware of their strengths and weaknesses, but it is also a help to have played against them so much, because we know quite a lot of them. Hopefully, that will stand us in good stead.