News

Shane Williams granted a fitting finale

April 25 2008

Wales' top try scorer Shane Williams has been granted a testimonial game at the Millennium Stadium, where he will lead a Wales XV against a World XV.

Williams' side will consist largely of those who won the Grand Slam this season, while the World XV will be captained by Williams' team-mate at the Ospreys Justin Marshall.

Scheduled for May 17 the game will bring to an end Williams' testimonial year, a year in which he became Wales' leading try scorer, won the Grand Slam with Wales, was named Player of the 2008 Six Nations, as well as winning the EDF Energy Cup.

Warren Gatland will coach Shane Williams' team before the bulk of the squad departs for the summer tour to South Africa.

"It's been an amazing season, far and away the greatest year in my rugby career," said Williams.

"I reached some personal milestones and have achieved more than I could ever have hoped, but the highlight has been able to share memories with my team mates at both Wales and the Ospreys.

"I would like to thank the Ospreys for granting my testimonial year and the fact that I'm able to put this game on is a really humbling experience for me, especially at the Millennium Stadium.

"I'll be surrounded by world rugby superstars, but many will be close friends and team-mates and the match should be quite a spectacle.

"I don't expect us to be knocking seven bells out of each other, but you can't put that much rugby experience and professionalism on a pitch without there being a competitive edge.

"We will be confirming team line-ups over the next few weeks and I don't exactly know who I'll be lining up against yet, but I fully expect Justin to be telling his team-mates to be keeping me away from the try-line."