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Williams: form

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.

Shane Williams on Lions boss Ian McGeechan
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Shane Williams has welcomed the appointment of Ian McGeechan as British and Irish Lions head coach for their 2009 tour of South Africa, the Welsh wing wizard labelling him the side's "ambassador".

Wasps' director of rugby will take responsibility for the fourth time, having become synonymous with the Lions, both as a player and a coach, over the past 34 years.

In 2005, McGeechan was placed in charge of the midweek team - the "dirt-trackers" - which travelled through that summer's tour of New Zealand unbeaten while Sir Clive Woodward's Test team were whitewashed 3-0 by the All Blacks.

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

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

"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."

Devastating

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 thanks to a remarkable season.

Not only did the Ospreys star break the Welsh try-scoring record, he was also named player of the RBS Six Nations for his part in Wales' Grand Slam triumph.

But the 31-year-old is convinced there is more to come, with Williams ready to improve his game yet further in order to seal 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," he continued.

"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."

Williams is aware a perfect opportunity to make a renewed impression comes when Wales play South Africa in back-to-back Tests next month.

McGeechan will be in attendance - no doubt also sizing up Wales coaching duo Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, who are tipped to join him next year as Lions assistants.

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

"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 star names to injury, with Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Martyn Williams, Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips all sidelined for the summer.

Warming up

Nevertheless, Wales hope to give themselves the best possible send-off when they play a warm-up match against a Justin Marshall invitational team at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The event has been dubbed 'Shane's Game' and will raise funds for Williams' testimonial year - with the man himself picking the team.

"Selecting a team is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I certainly don't envy Warren," Williams added.