Shane Williams stops all contract talks until after Six Nations
The talks between the Ospreys and Wales officials have been halted till the Six Nations end. Shane Williams confirmed the news about contract talks and admitted that negotiations will start again after Six Nations on the condition of a concrete offer. Ospreys
have been looking forward to get lay hands on Wales’ wing.
Shane Williams, who has scored his 53rd try for his national side at Murrayfield against Scotland on Saturday, will be without a contract after the tournament ends. The 33 year old will be looking forward to extend his contract only if, as he said ‘a concrete
offer’ is made to him. He has a tremendous track record at Liberty Stadium that he might be extending for another two years.
Talking to press he said, “I have been discussing to the Ospreys and I want to continue, but I don't have a concrete offer from them currently. I've put off contract consultation about my prospects until after the Six Nations because I have to focus on Wales
for the time being”
Ospreys have already faced a blow of losing Lee Byrne and James Hook to Clermont Auvergne and Perpignan respectively. On the other hand, Alun Wyn Jones, the captain of Ospreys is also in consideration of wealthy French clubs. Craig Mitchell the tight head,
has already announced his departure from the club after he current campaign, while the future prospects of Mike Phillips, scrum half for British and Irish Lions, is still in doubts.
Shane Williams has also been secretively contacted from France with a lucrative deal, but he won’t be taking any abrupt decisions that might cause a long-term damage to his international career. Williams has been loyal to his region and is expected to stay
where he belongs. He does have interest in French clubs but it all depends on situation after Six Nations.
He said, “I'll have to see what turns up but there is interest in me from France. I don't want to say particularly where from and that is something I may also have to think about.”
Williams is more concerned about his family and there reliability. Talking about it he added, “If it came to it I would have to take a seat with my wife Gail and go through the possibilities. Hardly any of the Ospreys players are determined to try their
hands in French clubs, but to those who are, good luck to them.”
Mentioning the players who just left the club to Perpignan, he wished them luck and believes that such decisions are always a step ahead for a player. He isn’t sure as yet that he would be following footsteps of James Hook and Lee Byrne, but he is determined
he will think out all the possibilities and will take a decision that will suit his family and let him flourish as a player too.
He said, “I've always said I'm a home bird at heart. I've never left my valley and never really had any desire to.”
At the same time, Ospreys are signing new players and trying to build a strong base for the club, keeping future tournaments in mind. Ospreys just signed Kristian Phillips, a 20 year old wing on a two year extension contract. Phillips is the youngest player
to play in Magners League and to score a try. He set this record when he was on 17 and scored a try against Connacht in 2008. According to his renewed contract, he will be staying at Ospreys until 2013.
Phillips said, “It's a commitment from me to my home region, and it's good to see the commitment from the Ospreys coaches who are putting their faith in me to continue improving.”
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