Wee winger Shane facing a giant task

SHANE WILLIAMS anticipates a clash of biblical proportions when he comes up against giant winger Lesley Vainikolo at Twickenham on Saturday.

Vainikolo, the Tongan-born destroyer who is set to make his England debut from the bench, stands seven inches taller than Williams and weighs nearly five stone more.

Williams will not be allowed use of a catapult to floor his opposite number — but the diminutive speedster is determined to strike a blow for the smaller man in any way he can.

“It’s David versus Goliath,” he said. “I don’t think he’s going to bother trying to run around me but I’ve played against the big wingers all my life.

“With my physique, that’s going to happen anyway. They are all pretty much monsters for me.

“I’ve played against some big lads, the likes of Aurelien Rougerie and Alesana Tuilagi. That’s my job and that’s what I’ve got to put up with.

“I tend to find it easier playing against the bigger man, to be honest. I’ve just got to find methods to deal with the bigger lads. I’ll have to go low or he could be chucking me into the stands I imagine.

“It’s a case of any means possible within the law I suppose. You’ve got to deal with it, you’ve no other option.”

Meanwhile, former England captain Martin Johnson has urged his countrymen to put securing victory ahead of crowd-pleasing rugby.

A new-look side will open their RBS 6 Nations account at Twickenham, with last year’s remarkable World Cup renaissance still fresh in the memory.

Reaching the final against all expectations was the result of a forward-inspired approach rather than the expansive game on which head coach Brian Ashton built his reputation.

And Johnson, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for England in 2003, has warned artistic impression will count for nothing if they do not get off to a winning start.

“Don’t worry too much about style, just make sure you win the game,” Johnson said.

He added: “This Welsh team will be trying to win. They haven’t won at Twickenham for 20 years.

“They’ve already said publicly they’re going to target a few of the England players — (fullback) Iain Balshaw I think was mentioned by their coach, Warren Gatland.

“It’s upping the stakes when you say that. It’s a big, big game.

“For Wales to win with a new coach, the first game against England, for the first time in 20 years, will be huge, just as it would be a huge disappointment for England to lose.”