Welsh eyes may all be on the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to see whether their national side can beat France to claim the Grand Slam in Warren Gatland’s first RBS Six Nations in charge, but a few miles away one player will become only her country’s second rugby centurion.

The player in question is wing Louise Rickard, who will equal the Welsh record of 100 international caps held by former captain Gareth Thomas when she runs out to face France at Taffs Wells RFC in Cardiff for their final game of the Women’s Six Nations.

In doing so Rickard will join former Scotland captain Donna Kennedy as the only women in a select club that boasts George Gregan, Fabien Pelous, Jason Leonard, Philippe Sella, Stephen Larkham, David Campese, Alessandro Troncon and Thomas as its only members.

“I haven’t thought too much about it in case anything goes wrong, but I am really excited about it and to be on the same number of caps as Alfie [Gareth Thomas], who is really a respected hero of mine, it will be fantastic,” enthused Rickard, who made her debut in Canada back in 1993.

“I have been very lucky, I haven’t been too injured and I have just enjoyed playing and I’ve met some fantastic friends en route and been able to travel, so I have loved every minute of it.”

Ironically Kennedy also reached her century for Scotland in the final weekend of last year’s Women’s Six Nations against France, but while the number 8 then hung up her boots, Rickard insists she has no intention of retiring just yet.

Exciting times for Welsh women

“I think I have maybe a couple more years before the body wears out, I don’t think they allow zimmer frames on the pitch do they!” joked Rickard, a biology teacher who lives in Suffolk. “I would like to be the most capped women’s player.”

Rickard may have turned 37 on New Year’s Eve but she is still a key player for Wales and has scored four tries in her last three matches – the victories over Scotland (twice), Italy and Ireland – to take her total to 32 in 99 internationals and help the team stay on course for second place in the Championship.

“It is really, really exciting [to be part of this Welsh team]. In the last few years we have really come on well, we have won lots of games and I just want to be part of the future of the Welsh women’s game,” added Rickard.

“We are winning so many games and with youngsters coming through it looks really exciting for the future. It would be fantastic [to beat France]; it could put us into second place and really put us up there in women’s rugby again.”

Wales Women’s coach Jason Lewis has described Rickard’s milestone as “an absolutely huge achievement” and the squad he has named to face France has another interesting look about it with twin sisters Claire and Louise Horgan the props in the starting line up.

France and Wales have each suffered only defeat in the 2008 Championship with both failing to score against two-time defending champions England, Rickard and her team-mates losing 55-0 on the opening weekend and the French 31-0 in round three.

Last hurdle to Grand Slam

Those two victories – allied to a 76-6 defeat of Italy and 34-5 win over Scotland last weekend – mean that England will claim a third consecutive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam if they overcome Ireland at London Irish Amateur RFC in Sunbury on Saturday.

England have been in imperious form again in the Championship despite a change in coach and the retirement of key players like Sue Day and Georgia Stevens, but while they are favourites to beat Ireland, captain Catherine Spencer is taking nothing for granted.

“Ireland have been playing well this season and the game on Saturday will be one of our toughest fixtures,” insisted Spencer ahead of a match for which coach Gary Street has made six changes to the team.

“They have several dangerous players in attack alongside a defence that is hard to break down. We will have to produce some excellent rugby to come away with the result that we want.

“There has been much talk of this elusive third Grand Slam and having won four out of four games we are on the right track to achieving this feat.”

The weekend’s other game sees Italy hosting Scotland at the Stadio Comunale in Mira, near Venice, with both sides still seeking a first win in 2008 – or a first Women’s Six Nations victory since they joined last year in Italy’s case.

Click here to listen to an interview with Louise Rickard on this week's Total Rugby Radio.