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Page last updated at 12:28 GMT, Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:28 UK

Williams plans World Cup swansong

Shane Williams answers questions from the 606 forum

Shane Williams expects Wales' 2011 World Cup campaign in New Zealand will be his international swansong.

The 2008 International Rugby Board Player of the Year, says the prospect of being in New Zealand for the tournament is driving his ambitions.

Osprey Williams, 33, has made 73 Wales appearances and and twice toured with the British and Irish Lions.

He said: "It would be fantastic if I can get to another World Cup. I'll be very happy to retire after that."

Williams lines up for the Ospreys against Glasgow in Friday's Magners League play-off semi-final at Liberty Stadium.

But while focused on earning silverware this season for his region, Williams said reaching the World Cup Down Under is his ultimate aim.

"My mindset is going to the World Cup next year. That will probably be the end of Shane Williams as far as internationals is concerned.

"That's what I strive for these days - to get to that World Cup.

606: DEBATE
ScotsSevensNutjob

"And if that means that I've got to go on tour [to New Zealand in the summer] and I've got to play well next season - and obviously I've got to play well - then so be it.

"I want to play as much rugby as I possibly can at international level."

Williams was answering questions posed by users of the BBC's 606 forum ahead of the Ospreys' crucial Magners League semi-final against Glasgow Warriors on Friday in Swansea.

He is aware of the challenge posed by the developing young talent such as fellow Ospreys Tom Prydie and Kristian Phillips as well as the strikes taken by fellow British and Irish Lion Leigh Halfpenny, and his fellow Cardiff Blue Tom James and Newport Gwent Dragon Will Harries.

Even so, Williams has offered Wales' youngest cap Prydie and Phillips guidance.

He said: "We're very lucky in Wales at the moment. We've got a lot of strength in depth and, probably more so in the wing department.

"So it keeps me on my toes, but I've got an influence on a couple of the guys there [the Ospreys]. I train with Kristian and Tom and I try and help out as much as I can.

"I'm not one of these selfish players who gives them bad advice so I look good!

"Hopefully they are guys who sooner or later are going to surpass me and start wearing that 11 shirt so it's great for Welsh rugby - the strength in depth we've got is fantastic.

Daisuke Ohata
Japan's Daisuke Ohata is world rugby's record try-scorer with 69

"It only makes the regions and international sides better."

Williams also hopes to overtake Australia great David Campese in the all-time international try-scoring stakes.

Campese scored 64 tries during a 101 Test career, but was overtaken in 2006 by Japan's prolific Daisuke Ohata, who has scored 69.

Williams has a record 51 for Wales and two Lions Test tries to his name and said: "I'm very proud of having the Welsh record and if I can get up to the likes of Campese, who I'm a massive fan of and he's a massive hero of mine, then great.

"I don't know if I'm going to catch Mr Ohata - he scores tries for fun, obviously, and it's a great record for him."

At the end of the domestic season, Wales face a two-Test tour to New Zealand in June, but also face South Africa in Cardiff on 5 June ahead of that trip.

While veteran flanker Martyn Williams may be rested, namesake Shane is likely to follow last summer's exertions with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa with inclusion in the Wales squad for their 2010 summer programme.

Wales coach Gatland has said that he wants to select his strongest squad for the June Tests, although he has also suggested that some of his veterans may be rested at the end of a long season that has come off the back of a Lions tour.

Injury has ruled out Duncan Jones, Richard Hibbard, Dafydd Jones, Dan Lydiate, Gareth Cooper, Tom Shanklin and Mark Jones, while Gareth Delve will not be considered.

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BBC Sport Wales coverage
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