EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

SHANE WILLIAMS

42

26/ 02/1977

WILLIAMS FACTS

I’d want to be part of a successful
tour. There is a lot of competition
for places so I’m not getting complacent. With the calibre of
player likely to be going on this
tour, we are more than capable of winning. But a lot of things can happen between now and then, especially
with loss of form and injuries. That’s why the Six Nations will be so important. Ian McGeechan is not going to pick players from the previous Six Nations, but overall it is something that I am really looking forward to.”

The autumn saw the emergence of Leigh Halpenny on the other wing to you. As a 19-year-old when he arrived did you give Leigh any advice?
“I was older than Leigh when I started, but I know just how intimidating coming into international rugby for
the first time can be, and how you question your right to be there. But
I told Leigh to keep playing with the same confidence he has at regional level. The venue and occasion is bigger with Wales – but it’s essentially the same game. He has bags of ability and could have a long future with Wales if he keeps working hard.” n

TRIES:

DATE OF BIRTH:

NEATH-SWANSEA OSPREYS

WALES APPEARANCES: 61

CLUB:

“Most skilful? James Hook – he is pretty talented in all aspects of the game, he is not a bad footballer and is a world-class player. Most intelligent? Alun Wyn Jones would like me to say him – he thinks he is pretty smart. Vainest? Take your pick from Gavin Henson, Mike Phillips and James Hook. First in the shower and last out, hair gel, they are like a bunch of women. Biggest eater? Gavin Henson – it doesn’t matter what he eats he never puts weight on. He can really put it away.”

Like Welsh rugby you have blossomed recently. What’s that
all about – is it marriage and fatherhood?
“I’m a late developer. Experience does help and I am a better all-round player. I’m fitter, stronger and quicker than ever and my confidence is high. I’m

enjoying my rugby like I did when I was a kid. I’ve grown up in the last couple of years. When I was single it was rugby, rugby, rugby. My wife doesn’t want to talk about rugby.”

What is the most important aspect of your game and how have you changed?
“I am a striker, I enjoy scoring the tries. That is my job. What I have learned is you can’t be too greedy, you can’t go looking for the ball too much and popping up everywhere. I’m a lot more patient these days, which means I’m scoring tries in the corners rather than picking up at scrum-half and trying to score from 40 yards.”

It is a big summer for British rugby with the Lions tour coming up. Any chance of a repeat of the win in South Africa in 1997?

Williams proudly displays the

Triple Crown, Six Nations Player of the Tournament and IRB Player of the Year awards

34 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES