SHARKS v LIONS
Venue: The ABSA Stadium, Durban Date: 10 June 2009 (ko 1810 BST) Coverage: Live coverage on Sky Sports 2 and BBC Sport website, second-half commentary on Five Live and online. Find complete listings here

IRB Player of the Year Shane Williams is Wales' record try-scorer

Shane Williams has been warned against the fear factor as he bids to win a Lions Test spot in South Africa.

The Wales star starts his third Lions game on the 2009 tour on Wednesday when the IRB World Player of the Year hopes to regain some form against the Sharks.

Williams has struggled this year and his intercepted pass led to a try for the Cheetahs in a narrow Lions victory.

Lions coach Shaun Edwards said: "He shouldn't be scared and go back on the wing and hope the game passes him by."

The 32-year-old has been far from his twinkle-toed best since winning the 2008 international player of the year accolade.

So Williams must impress head coach Ian McGeechan if the 64-times capped Welshman is to win a call for the Lions Test side when they play the Springboks in the first Test in Durban on 20 June.

The 64-times capped Welshman was one of the few impressive performances on Wales' summer tour to South Africa last year, scoring twice in two Tests against the world champions

But the 5ft 7ins Ospreys wing is currently down coach McGeechan's Test pecking order to face the giant and physical South Africans.

606: DEBATE Ian McGeechan obviously wants to start with Shane Williams, he just needs to play himself into form Welsh_Jon83

Wales' record record try-scorer is certainly being given an opportunity to shine by the Lions after starting against a Royal XV, the Free State Cheetahs and now the Sharks as well as coming on against the Golden Lions.

And Williams was told by defence coach Edwards top forget the intercepted try he conceded to Corne Uys against the Cheetahs.

"He has to continue to force himself into the game," said Edwards.

"He has stepped up to the plate defensively and I have said to him that every time he touches the ball he should go straight into the line and play right in the the face of the defence.

"And at times he is going to get passes picked off.

"He has a a real spring in his step and I'm looking forward to seeing him play this week."

Williams is one seven Wales starters to face the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday alongside Lee Byrne, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Alun-Wyn Jones while Matthew Rees and James Hook are on the bench.

Sharks: Stefan Terblanche; Chris Jordaan, Andries Strauss, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu; Monty Dumond, Rory Kockott; Deon Carstens, Skipper Badenhorst, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Johann Muller (capt), Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel.
Replacements: Craig Burden, Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Michael Rhodes, Charl McLeod, Guy Cronje, Lwazi Mvovo.

British and Irish Lions: Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales); Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland); Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Lee Mears (Bath/England), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland, capt), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England), James Hook (Ospreys/Wales).

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