Tue 28 Mar 2017 | 10:26
Legend Shane Williams, aged 40, helps local club reach cup final

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Wales legend Shane Williams turned out for his local club this past weekend, helping them to qualify for the WRU National Bowl final, which takes place at the Principality (former Millennium) Stadium next month. At 40-years-old, Williams still has some magical touches. 

Wales' record try scorer turned out for Amman United RFC to beat Cardigan 29-3 in the semi final, helping them to the Cardiff final, where they will face Caerphilly.

He first played for the club in 1997, in his first senior rugby appearance, when he played scrumhalf.

"I always said I would go back to my roots. I always said I would love to go back and play a couple of games with my brother. I am very fortunate my body is still able," he told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"A lot of these boys I played with at youth level, it is like a family to me."

Williams was set to start on the bench and possibly get a run, but he ended up coming on after just 18 minutes, for his brother-in-law. 

"I was as nervous running out for Amman in the semi-final of the National Bowl as I was for a Six Nations match, it meant that much."

He made quite an impact, although the biggest impact of the day was felt on his jaw, leading to a hairline fracture. It hasn't deterred him though, and he says he will be available for the final should his services be required.

"I would love to be involved, even if it's just a cameo experience," he said.

"The credit is for the other players for getting us there. I feel like I am jumping on the bandwagon. The way they are playing this season, they don't need me in all honesty.

"I wouldn't begrudge anyone starting ahead of me. I have experienced it plenty of times. I am there to help the club out - my brother, brothers-in-law and friends from years gone all play for the club."

credit: BBC Scrum V/BBC Wales Sport

7 Comments

  • drg
    11:28 AM 03/04/2017

    Hahahahaha!

  • im1
    9:41 AM 03/04/2017

    Assume Gatland was there.....

  • drg
    3:55 PM 02/04/2017

    Aside from my less than favourable comment and others high favour comments, what is the thoughts on this? The only thing that jumps into my mind is "how unsporting".... I don't know if that is valid or not, but there is a team that is heading into some final or other and in comes an ex international and a pretty bloody good international at his time at that, I can't imagine he's at his best, but I'd imagine him as he is in the back row would be better than me at my best.... So it sort of seems a little wrong...

    I mean what if the opposing team decide to bring in Stephen Jones to kick goals from wherever and Martyn Williams to ruin people's day etc, sort of changes up the dynamic of the game a bit. It'd be great to play with or against these blokes, but surely they are in a slightly different league. Even the late great Jerry Collins was rumoured to have played at a fair few notches down from 100% when he donned his boots for an amateur team in the essence of sportsmanship...

  • 10stonenumber10
    11:18 AM 30/03/2017

    And here I am feeling old turning 28 this year... It feels strange being 10 years older than a teammate, he had 20+ over some of the oppo!

  • oliver
    8:20 AM 30/03/2017

    There is no such thing as too much Shane Williams. Still got that magical step!

  • hoot
    2:26 PM 29/03/2017

    Harsh but funny. :-)

  • drg
    11:45 PM 28/03/2017

    ....sooooo, does this mean we have to have another tribute Shane's last match at home for Amman, last match away for Shane for Amman, last match for Shane for Amman where his best mates were free to come see, last match for Shane for Amman on an even date..and of course on an odd date... Etc?