Anyone fancy a game?

LIONS CALL UP FOR SHANE WILLIAMS

We're almost at the stage where, if you are a northern hemisphere international three-quarter, you might justifiably regard not being called into the Lions squad as a personal insult. Anyone who fancies a game should probably just pack their boots and jump on a plane to Brisbane.

This follows the news that, as somewhat facetiously predicted by this blog back in April, Ickle Shane Williams has now been called into the British & Irish Lions squad as temporary cover and, together with other new arrivals Brad Barritt and Christian Wade, is expected to start against the Brumbies on Tuesday.

Meanwhile Stuart Lancaster returns from Argentina with a 2-0 series victory and his hand strengthened in several areas. He'll delighted by the emergence of a credible alternative front row - with Rob Webber showing particularly well - as well as with the likes of Matt Kvesic, Freddie Burns, Billy Twelvetrees, Kyle Eastmond, Christian Wade and Marland Yarde all putting their hands up to challenge the established order. Selection for the November internationals will be interesting indeed.

Rumour has it...

Possibly an elaborate hoax, but according to the tweets of diminutive former Welsh wing wizard, Ickle Shane Williams, Amman United RFC (his former rugby club) have secured the services of 5 times World's Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski.

If true, the 300lb, 6ft 1in colossus will be gracing the rugby fields in WRU Division 3 West. Rumours that his maternal grandmother went by the name of Mfanwy Blodwyn Davies remain unconfirmed.

Shane who?

And so, a fond farewell to Ickle Shane Williams.

Although personally never wholly convinced by the little maestro (which I realise sounds a tad churlish), there's no doubt that he was capable of moments of magic and, although not quite the fairy tale ending, there was still barely a dry eye in the Millenium Stadium when he crossed for the final try against Australia on Saturday.

Furthermore I doubt we'll see his like again now that behemoth wingers have become the norm.