Interview: Shane Williams
Glanamman winger Shane Williams enjoyed monumental success in 2008, but will the same fate apply as the new international season begins? As he and his fellow teammates prepare for their Six Nations challenge, Shane talks candidly about the Scottish threat in Murrayfield, Wales' promising young players and the pressure after last year's Grand Slam.
-
Are you confident that Wales can retain the Six Nations Championship?
After winning the Championship last year, the boys will be looking to do pretty much the same thing again this time. The feeling after winning a Grand Slam is amazing and we'll want to embrace that feeling again. It will be difficult – we've been here before after winning in 2005, then playing extremely badly the year after. We have to pick ourselves up and play well in every game. I believe that any team can win the Six Nations, there are so many good teams in the competition, but we'll have to go out there and prove that last year wasn't just a one-off.
-
How much added pressure is on the squad now following last year's Grand Slam success?
The pressure's on – there's no doubt about that. But we've been in this situation before and we have to focus on these games, keep our heads intact and play rugby in the way that we can. If we can play in the same way that we did against Australia, then we can win the Championship again, I'm confident of that. We showed in the games against New Zealand and South Africa that we can play well in one half and lose our way in the other – we have to play the full eighty minutes to win!
-
The competition within the squad is prominent with a number of players battling it out for the same shirts. Are you beginning to see these youngsters as threats to your position?
As a player, you're always looking over your shoulder to see which young lads are breaking through. Leigh Halfpenny has enjoyed the season of his life – he came into the autumn series and made a huge impression. Also, Tom James and Jamie Roberts – these younger players who have got so much to give to Welsh rugby. At the moment, I'm trying to hold on as much as I can and play the rugby that suits me. That's the only thing that I can do.
-
Do you see yourself as someone they can turn to for support?
I hope that they can take elements from my style of playing and I'd like to think that they could come to me if they needed advice or support. They're quite different players to me and although they are relatively young, there is a lot of experience there. If I can help any players who are coming through the ranks, then I'd love to.
-
Will it be difficult to travel to Murrayfield for the opening test?
It's always difficult to play away from home and Murrayfield in the first game will be a challenge. We've played up there a lot but we don't have the best record up there. We've proven in the past that we can win away games – in the 2005 Grand Slam, we won three away games to secure victory. The boys can do it, we know that, but we'll have to play like we play in the home matches. It is hard to play away from home but to stand any chance of winning these competitions, you have to win away games. If we win the opening game, then it sets us up to win the Championship once again.
-
Who's the biggest threat in the Scottish squad?
It depends on what squad is chosen on the day but I'll be looking out for players like Lamont and Webster. I'm disappointed that Nicky Walker is out injured – it would've been a great battle as we are Ospreys team-mates. I'll look out for the wingers, in particular Simon Webster who is not only a good player, but a hard worker.