IT'S all on -- Wales' remarkable Grand Slam bid is really gathering pace now as they swept to an astonishing victory in an incredible match against France in Paris on Saturday.

To trail by 12 points after as many minutes, and then score 24 points with only six in reply and finally defend for their lives in the last frantic minutes of unbearable tension was some achievement.

Having beaten England, hammered Italy and now won in France, surely Scotland at Murrayfield a week on Sunday won't come between Wales and an unthought-of Grand Slam showdown against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on March 19.

Paris wasn't so much burning as alive to the sound of music late on Saturday night, Welsh singing as the thousands of fans on the Metro back into the city and in bars galore gave it the full throttle.

Bread of Heaven, Cwm Rhondda, and Delilah echoed around the French capital as the Welsh fans celebrated an unlikely victory.

In reality, it was Wales' third triumph in the Stade de France in the last six years, but this one came out of the blue, so few had expected it.

Sure, Wales had won twice, but so had France, and few expected them to play within themselves again. So it appeared in the first half when they had Wales under the cosh, scored two tries, the first after just three minutes, and might have had several more.

But there is something about this Welsh team. There is a new respect for them in the rugby world, as Irish referee Alain Rolland, himself highly respected and a touchjudge at the match, told us in our hotel at breakfast on the morning of the match.

And Wales justified that rating in one of the most memorable games they have been involved in for many years.

Not because they won - they did that in 1999 and in 2001 - no, it was the manner of the triumph in the city of the Arc de Triomphe.

Looking down the barrel at half-time, as back-row forward success Ryan Jones put it later, Wales not only regrouped during the interval, but they came out and attacked France with a boldness that took the breath away. They even lost their captain, Gareth Thomas, at half-time with a broken thumb.

Evergreen flanker Martyn Williams, playing better than ever, scored one try and, glory be, three minutes later he got another. A Stephen Jones conversion and Wales were ahead 18-15.

Though France drew level a third Jones penalty put Wales back in front. Could they hang on? They could indeed. Not only that, Jones actually increased the lead when he landed the sweetest dropped goal of his career.

Even Jonathan Davies, yards away in the Grandstand TV area, punched the air in delight - we can only guess what sort of night he had as he and Jeremy Guscott were flown out of Paris later in racing car promoter Eddie Jordan's private plane especially to attend popular former Irish captain Keith Wood's testimonial dinner in Dublin.

But even after Jones' dropped goal there remained six minutes of normal time and seven of injury time. It seemed twice as long, as France threw the kitchen sink at Wales.

By now they had them all on - Michalak, Harinordoquy (why didn't they start?) and they hit Wales with everything but the Eiffel Tower.

They had Wales pinned in the corner and three times scrums went down. You felt New Zealand referee Paul Honiss was about to blow for a penalty try, and with the conversion a formality it would have given France a one-point victory.

Surely not - you hardly dared look, but Wales scrambled clear and they hung on for dear life until Jones, equal man of the match with Martyn Williams, booted the ball high into the stand behind him because he knew the whistle was about to signal the end.

Even then there was an agonising delay until the whistle did go and the Welsh players hugged one another in sheer delight.

And they didn't forget the fans as they came back out to do a lap of honour, inspirational captain Gareth Thomas raising his one good arm aloft.

While Wales coach Mike Ruddock, who has done so much to organise this Welsh team and give it some self- belief, maintained a quietly happy but dignified presence, French opposite number Bernard Laporte sunk ever deeper into his chair at the post-match Press conference.

When the teams were announced before the match every player was cheered, but Laporte's name was booed - and that was before the game, such is his unpopularity with the fans. He and the rest of the French team just had to give best to Wales, whose courage, attitude, willingness to counter and ability to defend to the last shone out like the majestic Sacr Coeur which dominates the city.

Martyn Williams and Stephen Jones deserve a special bouquet, not just because they scored all of Wales' points, but because of their immense performances.

Williams would not even have been first choice had Colin Charvis been fit, but he can't be left out now after a series of dynamic performances, while Jones is the lynchpin of the entire team.

Not a classical Welsh outside-half, maybe - those days are gone anyway in the professional era - but he is a huge trier, his game is very structured, he kicks well out of hand and at goal and he is utterly reliable, never mind consistently putting his body on the line.

His form since he has left Wales to play in France - how ironic that he put the boot into his hosts - has been even more impressive.

But the entire Welsh team were immense as the pack competed so well at the set pieces, allowing the back row to impress while the backs scared the living daylights out of the French with their attacking skills.

Shane Williams may not have enjoyed his best game in defence against the powerful Aurelin Rougerie, but he was a real wizard in attack with his dazzling running, while Dwayne Peel enjoyed a fine game, Gareth Cooper adding another dimension when he went on.

Gavin Henson improved after a sticky start, while Kevin Morgan can now expect to be restored to his favourite full-back position, with Gareth Thomas set to be ruled out with a broken thumb.

Scotland now looks like being turned over to Wales next week as upwards of 25,000 fans head north for the Murrayfield date.

The hard-pressed Scottish Rugby Union have sent Wales 15,000 tickets that they are unable to sell in addition to their normal allocation.

The kilts of Edinburgh will be lost in a sea of red as Welsh fans flock to Scotland for a real bender as this incredible Grand Slam bid nears its conclusion.

France: J Laharrague, A Rougerie, Y Jauzion, D Traille (J-P Grandclaude 46), C Dominici, Y Delaigue (F Michalak 51), D Yachvili, S Marconnet, S Bruno (W Servat 40), N Mas (O Milloud 50), F Pelous (captain), J Thion (G Lamboley 75), S Betsen, J Bonnaire (I Harinordoquy 60), J Nyanga. Scorers -- tries: Yachvili, Rougerie; conversion: Yachvili; penalty: Yachvili; dropped goal: Michalak. Wales: G Thomas (R Williams 40), K Morgan (C Sweeney 53-60), T Shanklin, G Henson, S Williams, S Jones, D Peel (G Cooper 68), G Jenkins, M Davies (R McBryde 65), A Jones (J Yapp 68), B Cockbain, R Sidoli, R Jones (J Thomas 80), M Owen, M Williams. Scorers -- tries: M Williams (2); conversion: S Jones; penalties: Jones (3); dropped goal: Jones.

TOUCHDOWN: Martyn Williams goes over for his first try

ECSTASY: Welsh players celebrate at the final whistle

HE'S AWAY: Wales' wing wonder, Shane Williams rounds his marker

HIGH FLYER: Robert Sidoli wins lineout ball