Williams is honoured for 50 Heineken Cup games with a European cap

Ospreys match-winner Shane Williams has praised his "under pressure" team-mates for saving their Heineken Cup campaign with a thrilling win over London Irish.

Williams and fellow Tommy Bowe scored as the Welsh region beat the English Premiership leaders 27-16 and deny them a bonus point at the Liberty Stadium.

The Ospreys recovered from an opening day Pool Three defeat in Toulon with one of their finest European displays.

"If we had lost, it would've been the end of the campaign." said Williams.

"And it would have been all doom and gloom. We were under pressure to play well and I'm proud of the way we responded."

The Welsh franchise has qualified for the last three European Cup quarter-finals but as Scott Johnson's squad boasts a collection of world-renowned talent such as Williams, the Ospreys are expected to be serious contenders for the title.

And the Magners League champions certainly made a statement of intent in Swansea on Friday as they dominated a London Irish team that had previously beaten two-times champions Munster in the Heineken Cup's so-called 'Group of Death.'

And Wales wing Williams was the star attraction - scoring tries in successive Heineken Cup games - as the Ospreys stretched their unbeaten home record in Europe to almost five years.

The twinkle-toed 5ft 7ins star shone and showed a glimpse of what was to come when he danced past three defenders before splitting through the flat-footed visiting defence in the first-half.

His 30-yard sprint to the line - which included hurdling covering full-back Topsy Ojo - was halted by Sailosi Tagicakibau and Kieran Roche just inside the 10 metre line.

But Williams's 53rd minute sublime score was the standout moment of the match and a try-of-the-season contender.

Williams marks his 50th game in Europe with a 19th Heineken Cup try

The British and Irish Lion chipped and chased from just outside his own 10 metre line, caught the loose ball, skipped past Ryan Lamb and outpaced Sailosi Tagicakibau and Ojo to touch down in breathtaking fashion.

And even opposing head coach Toby Booth hailed Williams.

"He came up with something exceptional - it was Shane Williams at his best," said the Irish boss.

"I am all for the entertainment business and it was a great piece of skill by him. It's what the Heineken Cup is about and he has been doing that for a long time."

Williams' 105th try for club and country extended his record as the Ospreys record points scorer and perfectly capped his 50th Heineken Cup appearance.

And the 33-year-old admitted to BBC Sport afterwards: "I've found it difficult to get involved in games recently.

"Perhaps because the games have been so tight and I've had a few nerves of doing something wrong and letting the boys down around me.

"But I felt sharp and had two opportunities against Irish and I disappointed to lose the ball in the first one, but lucky I scored the second one and I'm feeling pretty good - and I certainly don't feel my age!"

His forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys has seen Williams score sensational tries before, but admits: "I always enjoy watching Shane play.

"That is why he was International Rugby Player of the Year and why he is such a special talent. He scores the most ridiculous tries and no-one else could score them."

Williams, though, unselfishly praised his team-mates as the Ospreys defence ground out a controlling victory that also prevented the Exiles a potential crucial bonus point.

"It had to be a great performance to beat a good London Irish team," he said.

"And denying them a bonus point was almost as important as us winning because a bonus point could come in handy for them as we came away with a bonus from our defeat in Toulon last week."

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