Grand Slam gig

Thousands of rugby and music fans are set to rock the Millennium Stadium in a special gig to celebrate Wales' 2008 Grand Slam.

The Welsh Rugby Union has organised the Bank Holiday Monday party with the Stereophonics and Feeder among the headline acts to hit the stage.

Wales captain Ryan Jones and player of the Six Nations Shane Williams will join all the other squad members there.

The Wales sevens side, women's team and

all the age grade squads will also be in the stadium to celebrate one of the most successful Welsh international seasons on record, in which national teams at all levels lost just three out of 23 games.

"Next Bank Holiday Monday will be a day for rugby lovers, music lovers and anyone who is proud to be Welsh or passionate about sport in Wales"

Roger Lewis, WRU

Welsh rugby's divisional champions from across the leagues will also be there and the crowd will also be shown big screen video clips behind the scenes of Wales' triumph, their second Grand Slam in three years.

WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis said: "This is the opportunity for the supporters to salute the players and coached who delivered so many victories for Wales this past season.

"We were determined that entry would be free because we want as many people as possible to show their appreciation and we would particularly like to thank each of the many high profile music and entertainment acts that have already shown their support."

X-Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts and singer Heather Small will also appear at the event, while singer Katherine Jenkins will appear via a big screen for a video message.

The event takes place just before the Wales team embark on their summer tour to South Africa.

Every rugby club in Wales will be given access to free tickets which will be available from Friday.

Mr Lewis said the event was in response to popular demand.

"It is easy to take for granted or to forget the power of the game we love to capture the imagination of the nation, but the reaction to Warren Gatland's success this season will live long in the memory.

"Next Bank Holiday Monday will be a day for rugby lovers, music lovers and anyone who is proud to be Welsh or passionate about sport in Wales."

In 2005, some 20,000 fans were joined by the team and Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall in the stadium for a similar celebration to mark Wales' 2005 Grand Slam.

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