Playing Days Over - Shane Williams

Former Wales wing Shane Williams says his playing days are over after rejecting an offer from Merthyr RFC.

The Welsh Championship club have signed Wales forward Andy Powell, but failed to recruit former British and Irish Lions star Williams.

Wales' record try-scorer hopes to combine his television punditry with a coaching career in the future.

"I miss playing rugby but those days are gone. Merthyr was a little step too far," Williams told BBC Wales Sport.

"I was approached by [coach] Lee Jarvis and [benefactor] Sir Stanley Thomas to see whether I would like to be involved in a coaching capacity as well as a playing capacity.

"It was very tempting and it's a good club that's looking to progress but, for the time being, I'm very busy with family commitments.

"I do want to be a coach. Is it next week? No it's not. Maybe in the near future you'll see me coaching but, for the moment, I think I've got enough on my plate."

The former Ospreys wing would have been the highest-profile signing so far for Merthyr, who also attempted but failed to recruit Wales hooker Matthew Rees.

"He [Williams] was too committed with his television work," Merthyr's benefactor Thomas said.

"He really wanted to come here, as did Matthew Rees, who I think has made a big mistake by not joining us because ours was a three-year contract and he's got a one-year deal with Cardiff Blues.

"Shane would have been the capture... we've been talking now for two weeks, an excellent offer was on the table for him. However, he's just too committed."

Williams played in four Tests for the Lions, scoring two tries, and played for clubs including Amman United RFC, Neath, Ospreys and Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan.

He returned home earlier this year after three years in Japanese rugby, and said his focus would be on coaching, as well as punditry.

Multi-millionaire Thomas, the brother of Cardiff Blues chairman Peter, has invested in Merthyr to help the club strengthen on and off the field in order to gain admission to the Premiership.

The semi-pro Premiership will be expanded from 12 to 16 clubs from 2016-17, with the top four Championship sides with an A licence going up at the end of next season.

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Williams Joins Mitsubishi Dynaboars

Wales' record international try-scorer Shane Williams is set to do a U-turn on his rugby retirement and play for a Japanese side next season.

The 35-year-old former Ospreys wing is expected to sign for the Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Division Two of the Japanese League on a one year deal.

Williams scored twice in his final competitive game as Ospreys won the Pro12 league final by beating Leinster .

Williams' final UK appearance was in Barbarians' loss to Wales last week.

Williams announced his retirement from rugby in February after he turned down Ospreys' offer to extend his playing career with the Welsh region to a 10th season.

The 2008 International Rugby Board player of the year quit Test rugby in December, with 58 tries in 87 games for his country and two in four Tests for the British and Irish Lions.

Williams signed off from the international stage in typical fashion, scoring a last-gasp try in the 18-24 defeat to Australia in Cardiff on 3 December.

The double-Grand Slam winner was also Ospreys' record try-scorer, with 57 touch downs in 141 matches, and scored late on in his last game for both club and country.

Williams was expected to continue his association with the Ospreys next season by taking up an ambassadorial role with the Liberty Stadium club but it is unclear if he will still undertake that role.

One Williams Wins in Wales Farewell

Wales bade farewell to 100-cap Martyn Williams by killing off Shane Williams' hopes of a winning send-off for the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales went into a 13-0 lead through Harry Robinson's try and James Hook's kicks, but the visitors led 14-13 at the break after tries by Stephen Donald and Richie Rees.

The Baa-Baas went further ahead when Donald went over for his second.

But Hook and Aled Brew tries sealed Wales' victory.

Shane Williams led out the Barbarians for his final Millennium Stadium appearance hoping for the chance to produce some of the magic with which he has graced the game.

There was also the significant matter of a 100th cap for another Welsh Williams - flanker Martyn - who avoided what he described as the "pain" of being left stranded on 99 caps.

Martyn Williams came on as a 46th-minute replacement and one of his first acts was to pull down wing Shane as the Baa-Baas wing threatened to break free.

That moment was undoubtedly among the post-match talking points.

But while Welsh fans mulled the glorious past of the Williams duo, a new rising star was also on their lips.

Wing Robinson, 18, scored the opening try after being set free by a combination of Lloyd Williams, Ian Evans and Matthew Rees.

The Cardiff Blues wing's pace ensured there was no chance of the visitors running him down.

Hook had kicked an early penalty and converted Robinson's score before completing a 13-0 cushion in the 26th minute with a second penalty.

But when Australian lock Matt Chisholm burst past Robinson, the invitation club were on their way to a try-from-nothing that set up a telling fight-back.

Chisholm sent Donald over, the World Cup-winning New Zealand fly-half also adding the conversion.

The hosts were in further trouble after scrum-half Lloyd Williams was charged down in the shadow of his posts.

Under pressure in defence, prop Rhys Gill was sin-binned for illegally killing the ball.

Video referee Nigel Whitehouse twice told referee Alain Rolland that the Barbarians had failed to score, Scottish number eight Johnnie Beattie and Georgian back-row colleague Mamuka Gorgodze the men denied.

But at the next time of asking erstwhile Wales scrum-half Rees' score was given after he latched on to a loose ball at a ruck.

Donald converted to give the Baa-Baas a one-point lead at the break.

Flanker Williams came on to a warm reception to reach his 100 caps and showed his guile by thwarting Shane Williams' threat.

However, the visitors were not to be denied when Donald went over from close range again, leaving the hosts with it all to do.

Rhys Webb made that task easier by sending out a pass that sent Hook into space and the Perpignan player did the rest on a mazy 35-metre run before converting.

And Shane Williams also played a part in Wales' win' albeit in unintentional fashion.

The retired Osprey launched a counter-attack only to see the man wearing 11 on this occasion, Brew, intercept and run clear for the final try, Hook again coverting.

Wales: Liam Williams (Scarlets); Harry Robinson (Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Aled Brew (Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Blues); Rhys Gill (Saracens), Matthew Rees (Scarlets, capt), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).

Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys, for Rees, 68), Paul James (Ospreys, for Gill, ), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, for Ryan Jones, 51), Martyn Williams (Blues, for Alun Wyn Jones, 46), Rhys Webb (Ospreys, for Lloyd Williams, 51), Adam Warren (Scarlets, for Biggar, 64), Will Harries (Dragons, for Robinson, 68).

Not used: Paul James.

Barbarians: Mils Muliaina; Isa Nacewa, Casey Laulala, Mike Tindall, Shane Williams; Stephen Donald, Richie Rees; Duncan Jones, Benoit August, John Smit (capt), Mick O'Driscoll, Matt Chisholm, Francois Louw, Johnnie Beattie, Mamuka Gorgodze.

Replacements: Cedric Heymans for Muliaina (66), Sailosi Tagicakibau for Laulala (46), Aled de Malmanche for August (40), Neemia Tialata for Smit (46), Anton van Zyl for O'Driscoll (40).

Not Used: Qera, Lawson.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Irish RFU)

TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)

Ospreys Give Leinster Rabo Blues

Ospreys edged out Leinster 31-30 in an epic, six-try RaboDirect PRO12 final to etch their name into the record books.

Shane Williams notched a 78th minute try and Dan Biggar showed nerves of steel to land the difficult conversion as the Welsh region became the first team to win four league titles.

The late knockout punch left the RDS crowd stunned as Leinster were on course to complete a famous European and domestic double - a feat not achieved since London Wasps did so back in 2004.

Joe Schmidt's men had led 17-9 at half-time thanks to tries from Sean Cronin and Isa Nacewa, and another from the Fijian international gave them a 30-21 advantage.

However, the Ospreys showed tremendous grit and will to win as Biggar landed his fourth penalty and then added the extras to Williams' effort to seal a famous comeback win.

The defeat is a bitter pill for Leinster to swallow as it is their third straight loss in a league decider, the Ospreys repeating their 2010 victory in Dublin.

Steve Tandy's side had beaten the Heineken Cup champions twice during the regular season and they nipped ahead thanks to a ninth-minute penalty from Biggar.

Leinster were level within two minutes though, Jonathan Sexton delivering a crisp penalty strike to reward the carrying of Gordon D'Arcy and Mike Ross.

Prop Ross injured his left leg at a subsequent scrum - a concern ahead of Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand - and Kiwi Nathan White had to be introduced.

Biggar hit a three-pointer before the Irish province charged back, with Brian O'Driscoll brilliantly drawing in two defenders to set hooker Cronin free for a rampaging run to the line.

Sexton converted with aplomb, a quality kick which was matched by the in-form Biggar as he topped off a powerful scrum with his third successful penalty.

However, Sexton's pinpoint restart kick was fielded superbly by a leaping Nacewa and the winger burst through for an opportunist try, with Sexton adding the extras from wide out.

But the Welshmen had the try they craved just 84 seconds into the second half, with Joe Bearman's clever offload releasing centre Ashley Beck for a well-taken seven-pointer.

Leinster replied almost immediately, Sexton rifling over his second penalty, before Ospreys captain Ryan Jones infringed at a ruck to allow Sexton to kick Leinster 23-16 ahead.

But in yet another twist, the Ospreys worked numbers on the left to release Williams for a rare scoring chance and he showed his renowned finishing skills by crashing over past Eoin Reddan.

Biggar missed the conversion, leaving Leinster with a two-point buffer, and the league's table-toppers seemed to be turning the screw when Nacewa swooped for his second of this closely-fought final.

Sexton's conversion completed his 15-point haul and pushed the margin out to nine points with just 16 minutes remaining.

It was an uphill task for the Ospreys but Biggar sent over a penalty to give his team-mates renewed hope.

Williams then signed off in fairytale fashion as the diminutive winger ducked out of Rob Kearney's challenge to wriggle over in the right corner and Biggar kicked the decisive blow.

Williams Scores in Farewell Game

Shane Williams scored a dramatic late try and conversion on what was billed as his farewell game for the Ospreys before retirement.

But the 34-year-old's try may lead to the Ospreys hosting a home game in the Pro12 play-offs.

The Dragons were in the game until the 78th minute when the Ospreys were awarded a second penalty try.

And Williams prised open the Dragons's stubborn defence before converting the injury-time score.

Williams' effort echoed his final Wales appearance , when he went over after 80 minutes had passed in a 24-18 defeat by Australia in December.

But on this occasion, Williams' try brought the reward of the bonus point that could prove so crucial as they head into the league's final round on Saturday, 5 May when they travel to Italian strugglers Aironi.

The Dragons' preparations were hit by a sickness bug among the squad in the build-up and skipper Luke Charteris' late withdrawal because of a shoulder injury.

But the visitors showed little sign of the troubles that preceded the kick-off.

The Dragons lived up to the Ospreys' expectations by putting up a better show than Cardiff Blues mustered in the hosts' previous outing.

Despite dominating the opening 10 minutes and creating clean line breaks for wing Hanno Dirksen, flanker Ryan Jones, lock Ian Evans, the Ospreys fell behind to Robling's first penalty.

Amid the Ospreys early lack of a killer instinct, the Dragons could point to Toby Faletau's try-saving tackle on Hibbard.

Biggar and Robling exchanged penalties before Ryan Jones stole over from a close-range ruck in the 20th minute for the first try and the Ospreys' fly-half converted.

Dragons wing Aled Brew brought Dirksen down by launching his body at the his opponent's legs to again deny the hosts.

But the Ospreys' pressure at series of close-range scrums told as first Nathan Buck was sin-binned before referee Nigel Owens' patience wore so thin he awarded a penalty try.

Biggar converted, but the hosts were unable to profit from Buck's absence either side of the break and it fell to Robling to again frustrate the Ospreys with two more penalties that left the outcome finely balanced.

Home fly-half Biggar was next to the sin-bin after he was judged to have illegally halted Brew's attempt at a tap penalty.

And before any more scores, replacement Dragons prop Dan Way was also yellow-carded.

In Way's absence, the Ospreys claimed another penalty try from a scrum.

Then Williams broke free to the delight of the biggest rugby crowd at the Liberty Stadium this season, 14,478.

Ospreys: Ross Jones, Hanno Dirksen, Tom Isaacs, Andrew Bishop, Shane Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (Capt), Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Joe Bearman, Justin Tipuric.

Replacements: Ashley Beck for Isaacs (60), Kahn Fotuali'i for Webb (41), Paul James for Bevington (63), Tom Smith for Evans (60).

Not Used: Baldwin, Rees, King, M Morgan.

Sin Bin: Biggar (50).

Dragons: Hallam Amos; Tonderai Chavhanga, Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith (capt), Aled Brew; Lewis Robling, Wayne Evans; Nathan Williams, Steve Jones, Nathan Buck, Robert Sidoli, Jevon Groves, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Martyn Thomas for Chavhanga (48), Joe Bedford for W Evans (63), Phil Price for N Williams (63), Sam Parry for S Jones (56), Dan Way for N Buck (56).

Not Used: Coombs, Brown, Leach.

Sin Bin: Buck (34), Way (69).

Att: 14,478

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

Assistant referees: Neil Hennessy, Wayne Davies (WRU)

Citing commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

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Shane Signs Off at Millennium

Shane Williams scored a try with his final touch for Wales as the veteran wing bade an emotional farewell to international rugby.

But it was not a winning farewell in his 87th cap for the 34-year-old Ospreys star, as Australia repeated their victory in the recent World Cup bronze medal match.

Second-half tries by scrum-half Will Genia and wing Lachie Turner - scored in quick succession after Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny had been sin-binned for tackling James O'Connor without the ball - were followed by a Berrick Barnes touchdown.

The damage was inflicted during a ruthless 12-minute spell when Australia took control and silenced a 69,000 crowd at the Millennium Stadium.

O'Connor kicked three conversions and a penalty, while Wales could only muster tries from Williams and Rhys Priestland, two Priestland penalties and a Dan Biggar conversion.

Wales showed six changes from the side beaten by Australia at the World Cup, some of them enforced as injuries sidelined locks Alun-Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, prop Adam Jones and centre Jonathan Davies, while French club commitments accounted for half-backs James Hook and Mike Phillips.

Cardiff Blues prop Scott Andrews made his first Test start and Ospreys lock Ian Evans returned following an injury-ravaged three years out of international rugby, but Australia also had some notable absentees in star World Cup backs Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper.

A minute's silence, which broke into spontaneous applause, was held before kick-off in memory of the late Wales football manager Gary Speed, and the opening exchanges proved low key.

It took 13 minutes for Williams to receive his first pass, but it was of such poor quality from centre Scott Williams that it rolled along the floor and the celebrated wing knocked on.

Unlucky

Priestland had already kicked Wales ahead through a 45-metre penalty, but Australia had their moments and were unlucky not to strike after Priestland saw his attempted defensive clearance charged down by opposite number O'Connor.

Wales escaped on that occasion, and they enjoyed another reprieve when O'Connor sent an angled penalty chance wide from 25 metres eight minutes before half-time.

Australia, though, continued to press and they looked to have finally breached Wales' well-organised defence courtesy of Barnes' cross-kick aimed towards Turner.

Turner grounded the ball over Wales' line, but a last-ditch Shane Williams tackle nudged him into touch a split second beforehand, and Wales regrouped for Priestland to kick his second penalty.

O'Connor cut the deficit with the final scoring act of a disjointed opening period, although Wales probably just about deserved their 6-3 advantage.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans made an interval change, taking off openside flanker David Pocock and replacing him with Radike Samo, and there was a greater urgency about Australia's approach.

Halfpenny's yellow card then played right into their hands, and he had hardly left the field before Genia sniped his way over from close range for a try that O'Connor converted.

It was rough justice on Wales, but they had to regroup quickly, and they were helped when O'Connor hit the post from close range with a penalty that would have extended Australia's lead.

But the Wallabies had momentum, and with Halfpenny still off, a slick handing move ended in Turner sprinting over wide out and O'Connor booted the touchline conversion.

Barnes then ended the game as a contest, and although Priestland touched down 13 minutes from time before Williams crossed during the closing seconds, Wales had crucially conceded 21 second half points.

Barry John Adds to Williams Praise

Legendary former fly-half Barry John says retiring Wales wing Shane Williams is "the last of a dying breed".

The diminutive flyer - he stands 5ft 7in and weighs 12st 8lb - plays his last Test for Wales on Saturday.

John said "quick-start, instinctive and daring" players like Williams are disappearing as size takes over.

He also said Williams would have made the great Welsh teams of the 1970s. "He would have played in our side. He'd get in, no doubt," added John.

"Gerald [Davies] and he would have been a fantastic wing pairing. [Former Wales full-back] JPR [Williams] would be licking his lips at the thought of letting these guys go."

John and scrum-half Gareth Edwards formed one of the most revered half-back partnerships in the game's history and played alongside fellow stellar names such as JPR Williams, John Dawes, Gerald Davies, Mervyn Davies, John Taylor and Delme Thomas at the start of an era that spanned the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Williams, who will face Australia at the Millennium Stadium in his final international, is Wales' all-time leading try-scorer with 57 and was the 2008 International Rugby Board Player of the Year.

Earlier this week South Africa legend Bryan Habana said Williams was one of the best to have ever played the game and John is equally complimentary about the 34-year-old Osprey.

"Shane has been an outrageously outstanding person, a brilliant figurehead for youngsters," said John.

"He was his own man out there and you can't get any better than your peers and for everybody else to judge that you are the best player in the world [in 2008] - well, you can't get any better than that.

"He's definitely in my great Welsh team, no problem at all with that.

"He'll be a great loss and he'll have a fantastic reception when he takes the field [against the Wallabies] and it will be very emotional all round for him.

"But his contribution to Welsh rugby is right up there with anybody."

John - dubbed 'The King' for his exploits during the Lions' successful 1971 tour to New Zealand - believes it is sad that smaller players such as Williams are being lost to the game.

"I wonder sometimes whether we've got too many people on the field - 30 players and we can't make the fields bigger because the stands are in the way," continued John.

"But the world of the Geralds and the Shane Williamses, I think they're gone and it's sad - very, very sad because these guys brought something extra and special to the game.

"They brought a new dimension - elusive, jinking runs and what the French boys of old brought - they were brilliant, marvellous people to watch and exciting.

"But now is the modern game of jumbo-jet rugby, I suppose, and juggernauts, and I don't think it's that appealing.

"And it's not a case of appealing now, it's a needs-and-must situation and, if they've got them, you've got to get them - otherwise you don't compete."

Williams Wants Wales Coaching Career

Wales' record try-scorer Shane Williams has revealed his new international ambition is to help coach his country after he retires from rugby.

The 34-year-old wing will win his 87th and final Wales cap in the 3 December Test with Australia in Cardiff.

Now the 2008 IRB International Player of the Year hopes to follow Rob Howley from a star player on the pitch to be a part of Wales' managerial set-up.

"I'd like to be [Wales coach], I know it's a tough job," said Williams.

"It would be nice to do it one day because I love Welsh rugby and I'll keep loving Welsh rugby even after I finish playing.

"I'd like to do something with Wales in the future as a coach or something else.

"I've had a great time with Wales and the Ospreys, it has been my life and hopefully it stays that way even when I finish playing."

The Osprey hopes to add to his record 57-try haul for Wales at the Millennium Stadium against the Wallabies in what he has confirmed will be his final Wales Test.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Rob Howley joined Warren Gatland's backroom staff just after the New Zealander's appointment and a month prior to the start of Wales' 2008 Grand Slam triumph.

Williams, a Lions tourist in 2005 and 2009, is preparing to draw an illustrious 11-year Wales career to a close.

But the double-Grand Slam winner, who is second behind Australian David Campese on rugby's all-time top Test try-scorer list, hopes his involvement with the Wales team can one day continue in an off-the-field role.

"I used to dream of playing for Wales so why not?" said Williams, whose current Ospreys deal expires in the summer of 2013.

"I'd love to come back and do something like Rob Howley. For Rob to be coaching Wales after finishing rugby not that long ago is incredible.

"And what he brings to the way Wales want to attack, he gets overshadowed a little bit as he really does a lot with Wales.

"If I could do something like that and be as successful as Rob in a few years then great. I'd love to be part of it."

If Williams became Wales head coach, he would be the first former Welsh international to coach Wales since Ron Waldron managed the national team between 1990 and 91.

Factfile

Born: 26 February, 1977 in Morriston

Position: Wing

Height: 5ft 7in

Weight: 12st 8lb

Wales record: 86 caps, 57 tries

Ospreys career: 130 games, 54 tries

Previous clubs: Amman Utd, Neath

Favourite TV show: The Simpsons

Favourite meal: Christmas dinner

Did you know?: Williams preferred football as a child and supports Blackburn Rovers

Williams Confirms Retirement Plan

Shane Williams has confirmed he wants to end his international career in Wales' match against Australia in Cardiff on 3 December.

Wales' record try-scorer had announced he would give up international rugby at the end of the World Cup.

But the 34-year-old, who has won 86 caps, hopes to be given an opportunity to say farewell on home soil.

"I am going to make myself available for this game. If selected, I want to play," he told the Wales on Sunday.

"If I am picked I will treat it in the same way I have always treated Wales games, but it will be a sad day for me. In fact, I'll be devastated.

"But to bow out in front of Welsh fans and my family and friends would be like a dream."

Williams helped Wales to a fourth-place finish at the World Cup, with his three tries in the competition extending his record tally to 57 scores.

Before facing Australia in the bronze medal match, Williams had said he was being persuaded to delay his retirement until the Wallabies visited the Millennium Stadium in December.

And after a tournament that promised so much in New Zealand ended in disappointing fashion as Wales lost 21-18 to Australia, Williams hopes victory in Cardiff would be a more fitting farewell.

The wing intends to continue his club career with Ospreys, where he is under contract until the end of the 2012-13 season, but insisted he will not be tempted to extended his international career for this season's Six Nations Championship.

"I always said I would know in myself when the time came to stop playing for Wales and that time is very nearly upon me," said the 2009 International Rugby Board Player of the Year.

"After this last game in December, that's definitely it for me, there'll be no changing my mind."