Williams, a Wales Grand Slam hero and multi-award winner in 2008, knows the side to face world champions South Africa will be picked on form, not reputation.

Williams' Ospreys colleague Tommy Bowe looks to have nailed down the Test number 14 shirt, leaving the Welsh wizard in a three-way fight with Ugo Monye and Luke Fitzgerald as his strike partner.

The 32-year-old, scorer of a record 46 tries during his 65-cap Wales career, would have been viewed as a Test team certainty had the Lions tour been this time last year.

But such is the competition for places he could easily find himself outside McGeechan's match-day 22 in Durban on Saturday week.

"No one has an idea of who is going to be selected for the Test," said Williams.

"The nerves are always there. It is nerve-wracking but you have got to do your talking on the field."

The Lions have posted 21 tries during a four-match unbeaten run in South Africa, yet despite Williams starting three of those games, he has yet to break his duck.

And he also suffered the misery of conceding an interception try in Bloemfontein last Saturday which took the Cheetahs within touching distance of claiming a shock win.

But Williams added: "I enjoy my rugby, full stop, whether it is going my way or not.

"If it is not going my way, I am not going to stay in bed and cry myself to sleep for 24 hours, I am going to work on it.

"It is tough, and I know you have your ups and downs.

"I didn't expect for one second that this season was going to be anything like last season. Last season was almost a one-off that I couldn't have dreamt of, really.

"I knew people would be watching and ready to pounce if things didn't go right.

"I feel the pressure on and off the field, but I make myself become a better player if I can cope with that.

"I just have to give myself a slap in the face sometimes when I have taken a backward step, but I am enjoying it and loving being over here."