WALES v SAMOA
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: 13 November Kick-off: 1930 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Wales & online, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, plus radio commentary online

Wales wing Shane Williams is hoping to play against Samoa on Friday so he can "feel alive" by facing their fierce defence at the Millennium Stadium.

The visitors have a well-deserved reputation for big tackles and their physical approach to the game.

Wales lost 19-12 to New Zealand last weekend and are eager to bounce back.

"I still enjoy getting tackled sometimes. It's a strange thing to say, but you feel alive sometimes when you get hit and get up," Williams said.

"These games are physical, they really are, and it's even worse for me I think - I'm half the size of these guys from Samoa and New Zealand!

"It wasn't any different [against New Zealand] but I'm sure it'll be twice as bad against Samoa.

"But that's the way it goes, that's what rugby's all about, it's a physical game. I signed up for the physicality even though I'm only about 4ft!

"I don't like getting snapped in half to be honest. I just relish playing for Wales... I'm still enjoying it and I hope I'll be playing on Friday.

"I relish every chance I get to put that jersey on and I'm looking forward to a great game on Friday."

606: DEBATE How will Wales fare against Samoa?

Wales coach Warren Gatland could opt to rest Williams, his country's record international try scorer, with an eye on Tests later in November against Argentina and Australia.

But the Lions and Ospreys wing, who stands 5ft 7in, knows that Samoa are never an easy touch.

The Polynesians have won three out of their six encounters against Wales, including humbling losses in the 1991 and 1999 World Cup pool stages on home turf in Cardiff.

"It's not going to be easy on Friday, certainly. We're on about the physicality in defence but, God, they've got some good attacking players as well," Williams added.

"So it makes for a great game, we know it's going to be tough and we're going to have to be on top of our game and we'll look forward to it.

"Of course we need to win, we need to win our next three games and we're more than capable of doing it."

Wales ran New Zealand close on Saturday but still could not find the precious win that has eluded them since 1953.

"We need to pick ourselves up, obviously we're very disappointed. It's not often you... just lose to the All Blacks, feeling like you could have got something out of the game," Williams said.

"We're in a good position at the moment but we can't get complacent... we need to play well on Friday to beat a very good Samoa side.

*Follow the Wales team announcement on all BBC Sport Wales outlets on Tuesday 10 November, 1330 GMT

Wales squad:

Backs: Dan Biggar, James Hook, Shane Williams (all Ospreys); Gareth Cooper, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Leigh Halfpenny (all Blues); Martin Roberts, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets); Dwayne Peel (Sale/ENG).

Forwards: Paul James, Duncan Jones, Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas (all Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (all Blues); Matthew Rees (Scarlets); Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate (both Dragons).

Samoa Squad:

Backs: Junior Poluleuligaga (Bay of Plenty/NZ), Uale Mai (Apia West), Fa'atonu Fili (Wellington/NZ), Lolo Lui (Apia), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish/ENG), Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu (Gloucester/ENG), Gavin Williams (Clermont Auvergne/FRA), Anitelea Tuilagi (Sale/ENG), Henry Fa'afili (Leeds Carnegie/ENG), Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish/ENG), David Lemi (Wasps/ENG), Titi Esau (Apia West).

Forwards: Census Johnston (Toulouse/FRA), Justin Va'a (Glasgow/SCO), Jeremiah Fatialofa (Counties Manukau/NZ), Sakaria Taulafo (Tasman Makos/NZ), Mahonri Schwalger (Sale/ENG), Andrew Williams (Apia West), Filipo Levi (Newcastle/ENG), Iosefa Tekori (Castres/FRA), Kane Thompson (Dax/FRA), Jonathon Fa'amatuainu (Bath/ENG), Ofisa Treviranus (Apia West), George Stowers (London Irish/ENG), Misioka Timoteo (Apia), Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan/FRA), Semiperive Semeane (Apia).

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