Holmes says Martyn Williams has been 'out of this world' as a link man

Wales scrum-half legend Terry Holmes says flanker Martyn Williams will be crucial for the Lions in South Africa.

Veteran Wales international Williams is hoping for his third Lions Tour against the world champions next summer.

Holmes said: "The key for the Lions is the back row and and I think the fitness of Martyn Williams is going to be crucial.

"To stand up to them, we need a footballer to link backs and forwards and he has been out of this world."

Williams played seven games for the Lions in New Zealand in 2005, but only appeared off the bench in the final Test, and four games for the Lions second string in Australia in 2001.

But Holmes believes the 33-year-old open-side flanker should be a key member of Lions head coach Ian McGeechan's Test team against the world champion Springboks.

606: DEBATE Is Williams the man to play open-side flanker for the Lions?

McGeechan is also a big admirer of Williams' Wales and Cardiff Blues back-row colleague Andy Powell, who starred in Wales' autumn Test campaign.

But Holmes, a Lions tourist to New Zealand in 1977, has warned Powell to improve his discipline.

The 27-year-old announced his arrival on the international stage with a man-of-the-match display against South Africa on 8 November.

And Holmes said: "I thought he was awesome in the autumn series. The only worry is a bit of discipline.

"That top 10%, as All Blacks coach Graham Henry said, is so vital; that you don't give away penalties in a tight series.

"That's something he's going to have to tighten up, not just for the Lions but for the Six Nations. But his athletic ability was a joy to watch."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version