British and Irish Lions

Grand Slam-winning Wales flanker Martyn Williams has virtually guaranteed himself a seat on the British & Irish Lions plane to New Zealand by winning the RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship.

Williams polled 7,796 votes on the BBC Sport website, three times more than his nearest rival, Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll with 2,466. Tricky Wales winger Shane Williams came third with 2,066 votes.

The 29-year-old, who might not have started a game in Wales' Grand Slam campaign had Colin Charvis been fit, said: 'It's a great honour to be named RBS player of the championship especially as this is voted for by rugby fans.

'This award caps a tremendous RBS 6 Nations for Wales and is as much a vote for my team-mates as for me.'

He added: "It has always been an ambition of mine to be part of a Grand Slam side.

"It has also been a dream of mine to be able to have the last kick of a championship-winning game, just like I did on Saturday when I kicked the ball into touch to signal the end of the game."

The Brumbies pair of Ben Mowen and Christian Leali'ifano will get the chance to follow in the footsteps of their team mates by beating the British & Irish Lions when they make their Qantas Wallaby Test debuts against the tourists in Brisbane on Saturday.

Rob Howley says having George North available for selection is a major plus for the British & Irish Lions as they go in search of the tries he believes will be needed to beat the Qantas Wallabies this Saturday.