Shane Williams wants the best to stay in Wales – Rugby News Update
Shane Williams, the recently retired Welsh international rugby player has stated that it is imperative for the Wales Rugby Union to stop the exodus of players. In recent years, many Welsh players have been drawn towards the money on offer in England and
Wales.
Williams bid an emotional farewell to professional rugby last week, playing a game for the Ospreys against Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 League. Similar to his international swansong match against Australia at the Millennium Stadium, on December
3, 2011, the mercurial Welsh international scored a try in his final professional game. It was a fitting end to a career that has seen him become a legend of the sport in his country.
However, Williams is concerned regarding the player drain in Wales, with notable players such as Gethin Jenkins and Huw Bennett leaving for France, while many more going to England, to ply their trade in foreign lands for better financial incentives.
He believes that Wales is not performing well economically and it is evident not just in rugby but in society as a whole. Williams said, "It is a very difficult place at the moment, not just in Welsh rugby, but in Wales economically." He also questioned
the money available in France by saying, "The Welsh regions appear to obviously have a problem financially, having said that the problem is how much finance there is in the French clubs."
In an era where money talks, four teams in Wales, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and the Ospreys have announced a salary cap of 3.5 million pounds, which will ensure that the best players do not leave for other countries and makes them competitive
for prestigious tournaments such as the Heineken Cup.
The lure of money is hard to resist for any player, and William on the matter said, "Even the English clubs are coming in with the big offers which makes it very difficult for the regions to keep hold of these guys,” and he further added, "It's a shame but
I don't blame the players. You have to look after yourself, your family and look after your future as well.”
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