Ospreys expect Shane Williams’ return for Magners League semi-final against Munster – Rugby news
Ospreys are confident that their star winger will be back on the field for their upcoming Magners League semi-final clash against Munster. Reports are coming in that Ospreys and Wales winger Williams has recovered from his knee
injury and will take the field on Saturday, May 14, at Thomond Park, Limerick.
34-year-old Welsh international rugby union player sustained ligament damage to his left knee during the RBS Six Nations 2011encounter against Ireland in March 2011. During the 2011 Six Nations, Williams announced that this was his last Six Nations tournament
and his last tries in the tournament came in Wales’s game against Scotland. He scored two tries in the game as Wales completed a thumping 24 – 6 win over the Scotland. The star Welsh international has scored 22 tries for his teams in 41 appearances in the
Six Nations he has played so far.
Ospreys currently hold the Magners League title; however, they got a scare from the minnows of the League, Aironi, during their weekends play-off qualification match. Currently, Ospreys’ forward line is struggling in the absence of Williams and that is apparent
from the fact that they failed to score a single try in their last Magners League match in Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana.
Aironi were in control of the match for most of the regulation time before the Ospreys centre James Hook’s 75th penalty stole the match away from them. Ospreys coach Sean Holley is delighted with the expected return of the Williams for their knock-out
game against Munster to bolster their attack. He said, "Shane is pretty close to coming back. He is a one-off excellent performer.”
Holley admitted his side’s poor performance, particularly in the attack during their game against the Aironi. Earlier, the reports were that Williams would return to Ospreys for the Aironi encounter to get some match fitness back. Doctors initially ruled
Williams out of the game for a period of 2 – 3 months. However, Williams demonstrated a remarkable recovery as he started light training within five weeks of the injury.
Ospreys and Munster already have played a sensational thriller on April 23, at Liberty Stadium, Swansea where O’Gara’s last minute penalty brought Munster home. However, the return of Williams has definitely strengthened the Ospreys chances for making it
to the final by defeating the Magners League leaders.
His speedy recovery has forced the Welsh selectors to name him in the Wales Squad for their next month match against the Barbarians. The Barbarians vs Wales match will kick start Wales 2011 Rugby World Cup preparation.
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