Williams gives McGeechan thumbs up

Shane Williams thinks 'Geech' is great

Shane Williams welcomed the appointment of Ian McGeechan as British and Irish Lions Head Coach - and provided a spine-tingling insight into why he was the unanimous choice to lead the 2009 assault on South Africa.

McGeechan will take charge for the fourth time having become synonymous with the Lions in an association as player and coach which stretches back through six tours and 34 years.

In 2005, McGeechan was in charge of the midweek team - the "dirt-trackers" - which travelled through New Zealand unbeaten while the Test team were humbled 3-0 by the All Blacks.

He left a lasting impression on Williams, whose only previous experience of McGeechan had been from watching the famous behind-the-scenes documentary of the victorious 1997 tour to South Africa.

"I got on very well with Geech, I thought he was great," said Williams.

"There were times he stood up to deliver a speech and it was overwhelming. It made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

"Those team-talks and how he made me feel before going into games are the things I remember most about the tour. Motivationally he is one of the best you will come across.

"He is a very good speaker, he is a very good people person. He was one of the coaches I got on with most on tour and it is great he is involved again.

"He is a very experienced coach, manager, player. You name it, he has done it. He is an ambassador to the Lions."

Williams played only a minor role in New Zealand three years ago but is currently considered one of the most devastating wingers in world rugby.

He has enjoyed a remarkable year, breaking the Welsh try-scoring record and being named player of the Six Nations for his part in Wales' Grand Slam triumph.

But Williams is convinced there is still more to come - and he is ready to take his game into the next stratosphere in order to cement a place in McGeechan's squad.

"The coach announcement does make players aware that this is the time you need to impress because it is Lions time again," said Williams.

"I'd like to think I can carry my form on for another year. I have got to the point in my career where I know what it takes to become a good player.

"I have strived really hard to get that and I don't want to let it slip. I feel there is a lot more to come. I feel I can be a better player next season and I may have to be a better player to get into the squad."

Although he knows all too well that 12 months in rugby is a long time, Williams is aware he can lay down a marker in South Africa when Wales tackle the Springboks in back-to-back Tests next month.

McGeechan will be flying out to watch the games and no doubt assess Wales coaching duo Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, who are tipped to be appointed to the Lions management team.

"You shouldn't think too far ahead towards the Lions because there is a lot of rugby still to be played," said Williams.

"But there is a lot more riding on it, not only the fact there is a Lions tour there next year, that our coaches could be involved and that Ian McGeechan will be out there watching, but we are playing the world champions.

"We go into these games with our eyes wide open. We know how difficult it will be out there. It is one of the toughest places in the world to go and play rugby."

Wales have lost five key Grand Slam winners to injury, with Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Martyn Williams, Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips all sidelined for the summer.

But Wales do have the bonus of a pre-tour warm-up at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, when Williams and co take on a Justin Marshall invitational team.

The event has been dubbed Shane's Game and will raise funds for Williams' testimonial year.

Gatland handed the team selection over to Williams, who did not enjoy the experience.

"Selecting a team is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I certainly don't envy Warren," Williams said on Thursday at the official announcement.

Gatland had no say in selection but will be interested to see how Jonathan Thomas fares on the open-side flank against Marty Holah.

Thomas, naturally a blind-side flanker, is being pressed into action in the seven jersey in South Africa with Martyn Williams and Robin Sowden-Taylor both out injured.