The portrait will be auctioned later this year Enlarge Image

Shane Williams, who scored two tries in Saturday's 47-8 win over Italy, spent his day off sitting for Andrew Vicari.

The artist is creating a portrait of the flying wing to be auctioned later this year in aid of his testimonial.

"I don't do very well at keeping still for long periods of time but I'm enjoying it," said Williams.

"It's a great honour, to be honest, to have someone like Andrew Vicari paint you and support your testimonial year," he said.

"It sounds quite easy sitting still for an hour or an hour-and-a-half but it's one of the most difficult things I've had to do.

When people sit for me what you see is not so much a passport photograph but it's a portrait of the soul Andrew Vicari

Williams said it also gave him time to relax and contemplate how the Six Nations campaign had gone to date.

"We are full of confidence at the moment - the only problem at the moment is the Welsh public talking about the Grand Slam and Triple Crown [because] it's a little early for that.

"We are progressing as a team with every game we play and we certainly are a squad that's capable of big things but we can't get too ahead of ourselves.

"There are things we need to work and we are side that will need to play better to win our next two games."

Port Talbot-born Vicari, who lives in Monaco, was once court painter to the Saudi Arabian royal family and government and is often described as one of the world's richest living artists.

He said while back in Wales he had spent some time with the Welsh rugby team and was a big fan of Williams.

Vicari said Williams was one of his two favourite players to have put on the red jersey of Wales - alongside Barry John.

"What you are seeing is the centre of the portrait and the other two of him in action will be unveiled on the night of auction - it's called the Shane Williams triptych.