Welsh and British & Irish Lions winger and World Player of the Year 2008 Shane Williams has admitted that the game against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday at Newlands may be his last for the Lions if he does not perform up to standard.

Williams, who says that the current trip to South Africa is very much his last Lions tour, believes he can force his way back into the Test selection frame with the form that saw him win numerous accolades last year – including IRB Player of the Year, Six Nations player of the year and finishing as the tournament’s top try scorer.

However, should he fail to fire – as he has done all tour – Williams knows he will never wear the Lions shirt again.

Tuesday is the Lions’ last midweek game and thus the last opportunity for players like Williams to convince the tour selectors of their credentials.

Having earned 67 Welsh caps since his debut in 2000 and having also appeared on the 2005 B&I Lions tour to New Zealand he is a celebrated servant of the game.

However, his form has dipped alarmingly on the current tour and he needs a big performance at Newlands on Tuesday to get back into the Test selection frame.

Williams’ indifferent form saw him lose out to England’s Ugo Monye for selection for the Lions’ first Test against the Boks.

While the wintry weather and massive storm that is heading towards Cape Town will not be conducive to an expansive game, Williams said their are other ways to impress the selectors … rather than just hang around on the wing waiting for the ball.

Coming from the south of Wales, the 32-year-old Williams, is not in the least concerned about the expected storm that will hit Cape Town on Tuesday.

“It just means I’m going to have to go look for a bit more work, more than I have throughout the tour,” Williams said about the testing conditions that awaits.

He said one of the most disappointing aspects has been his inability to get his hands on the ball.

“If the ball doesn’t get out to the wing too often I’m going to go looking for work,” he said, adding: “I certainly have no worries about the weather, I live in the south of Wales.”

Williams said he may have ‘tried too hard’ at times.

“I have found it difficult getting into the game so far and there’s a lot of factors, but there is no one more disappointed than myself,” Williams said.

He made it clear that he feels he can still make a strong contribution to the Lions’ cause on tour and help them bounce back from the 21-26 first Test loss in Durban last weekend.

“The tour is not quite over yet, it is not over for myself and that is what the game [Tuesday] is about,” Williams said, adding: “It is a big game for me.

“This will be my last Lions tour and if I don’t perform and I don’t play as well as I can play, it could be my last Lions game as well – it is up to me to change that.”

He admitted that the title of ‘IRB Player of the Year’ made him a marked man, but felt he was a strong enough person to overcome that.

“I knew last year that it was going to be difficult this year. The attention seems to be on myself constantly, whether it is off the field or on the field.

“However, I’m a big boy and I know I have to deal with that, so hopefully that will make me a better player.

“Yes, I felt the pressure, I’d be lying if I say I hadn’t.

“I would like to think I’m a good enough player to deal with that pressure and become a better player.

“It has been difficult, but I think I still have a lot more to offer.

“I’m quite excited about Tuesday’s game and I want to go out there and prove people wrong – more than anything I want to come away from this tour, after having had a good game [on Tuesday] and the last two Tests and be able to say I’ve given it my all.

“It is massive game for myself.”

He said the game is not just important to him, but also a massive game for a lot of players – those who want to be involved in the last two Tests.

“I’m sure we can go on and win [on Tuesday] and win the last two Tests. It’s import for us to win on Tuesday and it is important for a lot of guys to put their hands up – the Tests aren’t over yet.”

Williams also revealed that he had a chat with star Springbok wing Bryan Habana after last Saturday’s game in Durban.

“I told Bryan how gutted I was not to have been playing against him and that I’d hopefully see him next weekend.”

Source: rugby365.com

Pic: bbc.co.uk

Tags: british & Irish Lions, emerging springboks, shane williams