Blues coach, David young, pays a rich tribute to the outgoing Welsh star, Tom Shanklin.
The Blues coach, David Young, lauds the services of Wales’ player, Tom Shanklin, who announced his retirement from all forms of rugby on Thursday, 21st April.
Shanklin made his international debut in 2011 and played 70 Tests for Wales. He joined Cardiff Blues in 2003 and participated in 114 outgoings until his retirement.
Shanklin has played for Wales, Cardiff Blues and Irish Lions during his long rugby career. He is also the most Test capped player and first Welsh to participate in 70 Tests for his country. He has everything to cheer about in his ten-year long international
rugby career.
He is one of the highest try scorers for Wales with 20 tries, equaling the records of Gerald Davies and Gareth Edwards. He was also part of the Welsh team that won the Grand Slam in 2005 and 2008.
The centre wing disclosed his expected retirement yesterday in a press briefing. He told the media that he underwent a knee surgery in January after being sidelined from the team. The scan revealed that there was a bone-over-bone on his knees which was too
much for him to carry on the game.
David Young appreciated the center wing’s services and said he was a wonderful player to work with. The coach praised the attitude of the former Blues star and said that he was very committed and a professional player.
Young said, “He’s been here for something like nine years and the first couple were lean years and I thought both Tom and Martyn Williams were the leading lights and very loyal to the club in the dark days”.
The coach suggested that Tom Shanklin took a hasty decision about his retirement and to him he could continue for another couple of years. He asked Shanklin to remain in touch with rugby and adopt a coaching profession as he has a smart rugby brain. Young
admitted that it wouldn’t be easy for the Blues to replace the veteran, Tom Shanklin.
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