Shane Williams to take the field one last time – Rugby News Update
Shane Williams, the 35-year-old Ospreys and Wales' winger will play one final time for the invitational side, the Barbarians, against his home country at the Millennium Stadium, on Saturday, June 2.
Williams announced his international retirement a few months ago, playing his last match against Australia at the Millennium Stadium, on December 3, 2011, and marking the occasion with a try in front of a capacity filled crowd. It was a fitting end to a
career in which he retired as the record try-scorer for Wales with 58 tries, and the third highest globally.
The Barbarians have played two matches in the last week. They lost to England 57-26 at Twickenham the previous weekend, before bouncing back and defeating the Irish. Last year, Wales played the invitational side and they were defeated. It was also the game
where Sam Warburton, the Welsh Captain made his debut as the leader of the team.
However, Williams has swapped the Wales jersey for the Baa-baas shirt, and he will be under the captaincy of the South African John Smit. Mike Tindall, the former England skipper, keeps his place in the midfield along with Casey Laulala. Williams is tipped
to play in the back-three alongside Mils Muliaina and Isa Nacewa. His colleagues Richie Rees, the scrum-half and prop Duncan Jones have also been included in the team.
Williams recently retired from domestic rugby as well, but he claimed one last trophy, as the Ospreys beat Leinster in the final of the RaboDirect PRO12 league.
Williams made his debut against France at the Millennium Stadium, on February 5, 2000, and went on to play 91 test matches in total, of which 87 were with Wales. He represented the British and Irish Lions 4 times in his career.
It will be one last time the winger takes to the field as a professional player.
Barbarian Squad:
Barbarians: M Muliaina; I Nacewa, C Laulala, M Tindall, S Williams; S Donald, R Rees; D Jones, B August, J Smit (capt), M O'Driscoll, M Chisholm, F Louw, M Gorgodze, J Beattie.
Replacements: A de Malmanche, N Tialata, A van Zyl, A Qera, R Lawson, S Tagicakibau, C Heymans.
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