Position guide: Wing

Sidestep around defenders with Shane Williams

Watch Mark Jones' wing masterclass

By Ieuan Evans Former Wales and Lions wing

To be a good modern winger, first and foremost, you need pace.

Pace is a priceless commodity and if you've got that, you've got a big advantage.

Rugby is about getting the ball and exploiting space and if you've got that extra yard it gives you so many opportunities.

You tend not to get many flyers these days because rugby is such a physical game and you have to be a far more rounded player.

The days of the 11 stone winger are gone and 16 stone wingers are quite normal at the top level.

They're still quick, of course, but not quite as swift as French legend Patrice Lagisquet, who could run the 100m in 10.2 seconds. That's serious pace.

Wingers must have a big work ethic in the modern game. It can be a fairly lonely position but you can't just stand out there on the wing and wait for the ball to come to you.

My advice for wingers out there? 'Run, Forest, Run'

You have to go looking for it and pop up in all sorts of positions.

Defensively, you have to be solid. There are no hiding places any more. It's one of the only positions where there are real one-on-ones. You can be exposed or you can be a hero.

I enjoyed it because you had the ball in open spaces, were very visible and could strut your stuff.

I make no bones about it - it was the glory factor, very much like a great goal-scorer in football. I loved scoring tries.

Sometimes it's about no more than being in the right place at the right time. That comes with experience and reading the game but you can't have white-line fever.

If someone is in a better position, you have to give them the ball.

If you blow a scoring opportunity because you're selfish, you know the crowd are going to be baying for you, and you know who is going to be slammed in the paper the next day.

The guys that are setting the benchmark in the modern game for me are the Kiwis Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rico Gear, Aussie Lote Tuqiri and South African Brian Habana.

My advice for wingers out there? "Run, Forest, Run".