Ace Williams sweating on Lions role.Byline: ANDREW BALDOCK WORLD player of the year Shane Williams This article is about the Welsh rugby player. For the American actress, see Shanésia Davis-Williams. Shane Mark Williams (born 26 February 1977 in Swansea) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a winger for the Ospreys club and Wales but who can is ready for a "nerve-wracking" week as British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or more colloquially the British Lions boss Ian McGeechan Ian McGeechan (born on October 30 1946) is a highly successful former rugby union footballer and coach. His nickname is "Geech". Playing career He played for Headingley and made his debut for Scotland in 1972. He won thirty-two caps, playing at fly-half and centre. formulates his Test team. Williams, a Wales Grand Slam grand slam n. 1. The winning of all the tricks during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 2. Sports The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. hero and multi-award winner in 2008, knows the side to face world champions South Africa will be picked on form, not reputation. Williams' Ospreys colleague Tommy Bowe looks to have nailed down the Test number 14 shirt, leaving the Welsh wizard in a three-way fight with Ugo Monye and Luke Fitzgerald as his strike partner. The 32-year-old, scorer of a record 46 tries during his 65-cap Wales career, would have been viewed as a Test team certainty had the Lions tour been this time last year. But such is the competition for places he could easily find himself outside McGeechan's match-day 22 in Durban a week tomorrow. "No one has an idea of who is going to be selected for the Test," said Williams. "The nerves are always there. It is nerve-wracking but you have got to do your talking on the field." The Lions have posted 21 tries during a four-match unbeaten run in South Africa, yet despite Williams starting three of those games, he has yet to break his duck. And he also suffered the misery of conceding an interception try in Bloemfontein last Saturday which took the Cheetahs within touching distance of claiming a shock win. But Williams added: "I enjoy my rugby, full stop, whether it is going my way or not. "If it is not going my way, I am not going to stay in bed and cry myself to sleep for 24 hours Adv. 1. for 24 hours - without stopping; "she worked around the clock" around the clock, round the clock , I am going to work on it. "It is tough, and I know you have your ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits . "I didn't expect for one second that this season was going to be anything like last season. Last season was almost a one-off that I couldn't have dreamt of, really. "I knew people would be watching and ready to pounce if things didn't go right. "I feel the pressure on and off the field, but I make myself become a better player if I can cope with that. "I just have to give myself a slap in the face sometimes when I have taken a backward step, but I am enjoying it and loving being over here." Williams' Wales team-mate Mike Phillips, meanwhile, can be rated a racing Test certainty. The Ospreys scrum-half produced a dominant display behind an outstanding Lions pack on Wednesday, leaving no doubt he will be a major player From Back Page against South Africa. "I am out there working my socks off, putting everything in," said Phillips. "I feel very strong and very fit. I was out for nine months through injury last year, and I think I am peaking at the right time. "I am where I want to be to give myself a great opportunity to make something happen. "The next week to 10 days are going to be huge. You want to peak for the Tests - that is what it is all about." Lion Mike Phillips on Wednesday CAPTION(S): Wales wing Shane Williams |
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