Martyn Williams - Rugby Player Profile
Martyn Elwyn Williams was born on September 1, 1975 in Pontypridd, Wales. Williams is a player for Cardiff Blues and the Wales national rugby union team as a flanker.
Williams started his professional career at Pontypridd. During his time at the club he demonstrated his skills and talents at the highest level. Williams played a key role for Pontypridd when they won the 1996-1997 Welsh league.
In 1999, the 1.85m Williams made a move to Cardiff. He played a key role in the club's rise to the top, as he helped them score many victories. Williams always kept the fans delighted by showcasing his abilities, playing the game with speed and high intensity.
He captained the club from 2002 until 2005 when he was replaced by Rhys Williams.
Martyn Williams earned his first international cap against the mighty Barbarians in 1996. The flanker Martyn Williams played a very intense game and continued to play a key role in the international team
In 2003, Williams was selected to play in the Wales team for the World Cup. Williams was the most impressive player from the Welsh side, with his consistent performances throughout the tournament. In the quarter finals against England, Williams played a
very high tempo game scoring a try against his opposition, but his performance in the match was not enough to stop Wales from exiting the tournament.
After the World Cup, Williams continued to feature regularly for the national team. His finest game in the Welsh colors would be when he turned the game around in favor of the Welsh side in Six Nations Championship against France in 2005.
The 213 lb Williams announced his retirement from international rugby in 2007, after Wales crashed out of the Rugby World Cup in the group stages. The veteran player was then called back by the head coach of Wales Warren Gatland in the follow in year.
In 2008, Williams played a crucial part in the Wales Grand Slam winning side of 2008, and was also acknowledged as one of the best players in the tournament.
In the early part of 2011, Cardiff Blues signed Williams for another year to play for the club. Williams made his return to the Wales team when he played against Argentina, but he was unsuccessful in his attempt to get selected for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Nonetheless, the veteran player was honored with an MBE in the New Year Honor list for his services in rugby.
Martyn Williams is currently the most international capped player for the Wales team with 99 caps to his name and is all set to get his 100th cap when Wales takes on the Barbarians in June. He will be retiring from international rugby after the
game.
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