SHANE Williams makes no secret of his admiration for All Blacks wing Doug Howlett. And after his performances in this year's RBS 6 Nations championship, Williams is bound to come face-to-face with his hero this summer.

What he lacks in size he makes up in speed and his trade-mark side step has become his most lethal weapon.

He made his intentions quite clear on February 5, scoring Wales' first Six Nations try of the campaign, in the narrow victory over England.

He followed that up with a blistering performance against Italy, scoring a second-half try which will surely be rated as one of the greatest scored in Six Nations rugby. Quite simply Williams has been sensational over the past five games. The Ospreys wing is in the form of his life and it is this form over the past two months that make his a certainty to play for the Lions this summer.

But the wing-wizard has more pressing concerns, this weekend's Grand Slam decider at the Millennium Stadium.

Williams, is always prepared for being a marked man, but never more so then this weekend.

Ireland will watch Williams like a hawk but as usual with the 28-year-old if you 'Give him an inch, he'll take a mile'.

He is the one player who can open up the Irish defence and spot a gap despite his status as Wales' danger man.

And with Ruddock's side being given a 'licence to thrill' then you wouldn't back against Shane to be the man that wins the Grand Slam for Wales this weekend.

But a few years ago it was very different for Williams. Seemingly in the international wilderness, he was offered the rare chance to start a game in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

That game just happened to be New Zealand, and after running the All Blacks close with a stunning performance he got his chance against England.

It was same again from Williams and since then on in, he has never looked back.