Shane Williams collared by the law

Wales and Lions star Shane Williams was forced to spend 24 hours in a Cypriot jail after being mistaken for a man who attacked a taxi driver.

The 28-year-old wing was enjoying the last day of a two-week holiday in Ayia Napa when police took him into custody and confiscated his passport.

Williams described his time in the Larnaca cell as "the longest 24 hours of my life" and was forced to fly in his solicitor, John Morris, to act as his council.

"I was actually in the police station for six hours before being taken into a cell," said Williams.

"I didn't understand the language and didn't know what was going on at all.

"I was kept in the dark and it was only another six hours later that I was told what the offence was."

"[The cell] was disgusting ... like something from The Shawshank Redemption.

"Obviously there was no physical abuse but there was a mental strain - especially when you know you are innocent of a crime that they are trying to pin on you.

"You read about these things in the papers but you never think it will happen to you."

Despite missing the weddings of two of his best friends and the start of pre-season training with the Ospreys, Williams said he does not intend to lodge any complaint - and proved that the ordeal had not robbed him of his sense of humour.

"I just want to get away from it all," said Williams. "I knew I should have gone to Tenby."