Nine matches over 11 years against a host of Irish rugby’s all-time greats.
Shane Williams was in town this week to talk Six Nations, life in Japan, his post-rugby career and, most importantly, Ireland’s upcoming match against his country, Wales.
Williams faced Ireland nine times between 2000 and his try-scoring performance in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final still lives in the memory of every Irish fan. During his time in Welsh red, the winger has faced off against great players such as Keith Wood, Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Shane Horgan, Ronan O’Gara, and more.
SportsJOE asked Williams the Irish player he feared playing against most and he chose a man that has been a team-mate, wing rival and fierce opponent over the years.
‘A number of players made me fearful, to be honest,’ he said. ‘Obviously Brian goes without saying, in the centre. He was always a player you were hoping would be injured for that game; for obvious reasons.’
‘Someone like Tommy Bowe would be the main one. Having played against him at Ulster, and then played with him at the Ospreys, I knew what kind of player he was. Immense work-rate as a player and that’s why he scored so many tries. Always turned up on shoulders, scored tries out wide.’
‘Defensively,’ Williams continued, ‘ he was one of the best tactical defenders I’ve played against and with, and as a player against him you knew you had to work equally as hard as him, otherwise you would come off second best.
‘A great footballing winger, fullback or centre. It just goes to show what calibre of player he is – a proper back three player.’
The wingers played four seasons together at Ospreys and Williams says he rarely saw the Monaghan native have a poor game. He said:
‘He was there to score interception tries in the last minute or put two over and win games against big clubs. It was the same for Ireland. I’ve played many times against Tommy, for Ireland, and came off second best.’
‘We always joked about playing each other,’ he revealed. ‘He’d always say he hated playing against me and I’d say the same. Because we’re professional rugby players, very proud men and we both hated coming second. So when it’s one-on-one, you against Tommy, there’s only two positions you can come.
‘We’d discuss it in training, discuss it in games sometimes, a bit of banter, but he’s a great player. I found it really tough against him. ‘
When I was playing with him with the Lions, I always knew Tommy would be a starter in one of the tests and I’d have to fight with someone else for another position, because, again, he never plays poorly for his country. He always gave me a tough time on the field and in the training paddock. So, top guy.’
*Shane Williams is an Ambassador for Guinness and features in the ‘Made of More’ campaign as an icon of rugby who has triumphed over adversity and overcome the odds through unwavering spirit and determination. You can check out all the Made of More videos here. Rugby fans that check in to their local pub, using the Guinness Plus app, will be in with a chance of winning a VIP trip to Ireland’s Six Nations finalé against Scotland.
