Shane Williams eager to shine for Lions but refuses to sink claws into rival Ugo Monye

Chris Jones
22 Jun 2009

Shane Williams has refused to criticise Ugo Monye for failing to score two tries against South Africa but admitted he has an eye on the Harlequins wing's Test spot.

With Monye failing to score in the 26-21 First Test defeat, the Lions selectors are looking to improve their cutting edge for the clash with the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday.

Williams, with his amazing footwork and eye for a gap, offers a potent alternative and has the chance to state his case when he lines up for the Lions against the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town tomorrow.

Before spelling out his own ambitions, though, the 32-year-old defended Monye. He said: “I am not here to criticise the finishing at the weekend and I thought Ugo was very unlucky.
“The first try was ruled out by a tremendous effort by the Springbok defence and I backed Ugo to get there because he had been scoring tries for fun on this tour.

“I assumed he had scored and the second time, he just had the ball dislodged and it's happened to all us at some time.

“I would like to think my bread and butter is finishing —it's what I am paid to do — but I am not going to say I would have scored those tries.”
Williams has failed to live up to his billing as World Player of the Year on the South Africa tour and he knows he cannot afford another “no show” in terms of being a try-scoring threat against a powerful Emerging team.

He said: “For me, this is the last-chance saloon because it's my last Lions tour and, if I don't perform as I know I can, it could be my last Lions match ever.

“So it's a massive opportunity and I need a good performance to have a chance of playing in the last two Tests. That's why you come on these tours and I am more determined than ever to be involved. It's all up to me tomorrow and, with the weather not being great, it probably means I will have to go looking for a bit more work than I have on tour so far.

“One of the disappointing parts of the tour has been the number of times I have got my hands on the ball. Maybe, because of the lack of opportunities, I have been looking to do things even before it's arrived in my hands and it has been difficult to get into the games.

“The tour isn't over and it's a big chance for me. There isn't anyone more disappointed than me with the way things have gone and I have to put it right. I knew it would be difficult after being named World Player of the Year and attention was going to be on me whenever I played.

“I am a big boy and I have to deal with that pressure. I would be lying if I didn't admit it was tough, and I must become a better player. I still have a lot to offer and I am really excited to get this chance tomorrow — I want to prove a few people wrong.

“I want to finish this tour knowing I have given it my all.”

The Lions have so many problems in the front row they have drafted London Wasps prop Tim Payne straight into the team — just 24 hours after he arrived in Cape Town. Payne's call-up is as a result of Andrew Sheridan suffering a back problem that will require a fitness test on Thursday to determine if he will be available for the Second Test with the Springboks.

Payne is joined in the Lions front row by John Hayes, the heavyweight Ireland tight-head, who landed in South Africa a couple of days earlier as a replacement for the injured Euan Murray.

It is Payne, able to play on the loose-head and tight-head sides of the scrum, who is better placed to press for consideration as a bench man for the Second Test as Phil Vickery comes to terms with his mauling at the hands of the Springboks.

Payne said: “Being called up to the Lions squad is fantastic. Every player has the goal of being a Lion and being asked to be a part of the tour in South Africa is a career highlight.

“It is great that I will be thrown straight into the action by making my Lions debut against the Emerging Springboks.”

Vickery is a replacement tomorrow night and he will be given game time to try to rebuild his confidence. He will be sitting alongside Simon Shaw who has, once again, been left on the sidelines despite offering the selectors real power.

It appears Nathan Hines is in pole position to take that role, as he starts tomorrow night alongside Donncha O'Callaghan.
Martyn Williams, the Wales open-side, is also included in the team and can confirm his Test place ahead of David Wallace.

Lions v Emerging Springboks: Keith Earls (Ire); Shane Williams (Wal), Riki Flutey (Eng), Gordon D'Arcy (Ire), Luke Fitzgerald (Ire); Ronan O'Gara (Ire, capt), Harry Ellis (Eng); Tim Payne (Eng), Ross Ford (Scot), John Hayes (Ire), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ire), Nathan Hines (Scot), Joe Worsley (Eng), Martyn Williams (Wal), Andy Powell (Wal). Replacements: Lee Mears (Eng), Phil Vickery (Eng), Simon Shaw (Eng), David Wallace (Ire), Mike Blair (Scot), James Hook (Wal), Ugo Monye (Eng).

Boys on tour

AT this stage of a Lions tour the medical staff become even more important as injuries mount up, which allows Dr James Robson to offer his insights to the media. The latest to be given the Robson “treatment” is Lee Byrne, the Wales full-back. His personality has been compared to livewire Austin Healey, who was considered one of the most irritating characters to ever join the Lions. But Robson said Byrne is a lovable chap. Some nice sugar with that pill, Lee?