JAMES Hook believes Wales fully deserve the Grand Slam this season as he and his teammates gear up for Saturday’s historic clash with France.

The Perpignan outside-half played in this Six Nations campaign’s victories over Ireland, Scotland and Italy as a utility back replacement but missed the Triple Crown win over England after a bout of chicken pox.

And the 26-year-old believes Wales’ hard work means a Grand Slam in 2012 would be a worthy addition to the triumphs of 2005 and 2008 “It would mean a heck of a lot to win a third Grand Slam in eight seasons,” Hook said.

“To be honest, we fully deserve it. The boys have worked so hard not just the last seven, eight weeks but prior to that before the World Cup.

“They deserve everything they get really. We’ve all just worked hard for each other.”

But Hook – with first hand knowledge of how strong French rugby can be – thinks Philippe Saint-André’s men will be no pushovers despite disappointing displays which saw them held by Ireland in Paris before England deservedly took the spoils at Stade de France on Sunday.

“They have got to be disappointed with losing at home to England,” Top 14 player Hook said.

“The nation’s not going to be happy. France are going to come out and they are going to want to finish the campaign on a high.

“We all know what a quality team they are. We haven’t beaten them since 2008.”

Hook, who won the Grand Slam four years ago and who started that season’s final game at outside-half which saw Wales beat France 29-12, added: “France have natural footballers and they will bring something to the table on Saturday, I am sure.

“Playing against those players every week, I know what they are capable of doing. There’s a lot of quality individuals in the team, world-class players.

“They have showed it in glimpses in this campaign and I just hope they don’t show it too much on Saturday.”

Hook also hopes the Millennium Stadium factor will be important on the weekend with the vast majority of the sell-out crowd hoping to be able to toast Wales’ 11th Grand Slam on Saturday night.

“The Millennium is definitely the best stadium in the world for noise and fans,” the former Ospreys man said.

“Once it’s full there is no place like it in the world to play rugby. To play in front of that is just amazing for the players.

“It’s something that you can’t describe unless you experience it.

“It’s like a dream. Games like this don’t come around very often. It’s important for the boys to enjoy it – the need to suck it in.”