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Shane Mark Williams

Shane Mark Williams
Born: 26 FEB 1977
Place of Birth: Swansea, but always lived in Glanaman.
School: Amman Valley Comprehensive School
 

Trivia:

Played rugby since the age of six, but started playing football in sixth form.

Biography:

Shane Williams was named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2008 after viewers voted for the popular Ospreys winger - visit our Shane slideshow.

And read more about the award in BBC Sport Wales.

It followed in the wake of being declared the International Rugby Board's world player of the year at their awards ceremony in London 2008.

Shane did of course score decisive tries in four out of five victories by Wales' in the Six Nations and during the Grand Slam decider against France, he scored his 41st try of his international career, breaking Gareth Thomas's all-time Welsh try record.

He has a prolific international strike-rate of 43 tries in 62 Tests and was also a key member of the Ospreys side that won the EDF Energy Cup last season.

He used to play scrum-half during his early twenties for amateur side Amman United and does not come a family with strong rugby roots - though his brother plays rugby as well.

He was "discovered" by the then-Neath coach Lyn Jones who signed him for the Welsh All Blacks but when Welsh rugby went regional, Williams followed Jones to the Ospreys

He is the first Welshman to win the IRB's world player of the year award

Comment on this story

Abby Davies, Carmarthenshire

Although I'm English and lived there for 30 years, I've just moved down to Wales I gotta say when I first saw Shane I didn't go too much on him, but he's an excellent player with great speed.

Sorry to say I still support England all the way...there is some young blood coming into the English team just like Shane, so anything could happen.


Sun Jan 18 11:28:40 2009

David of Reading
I can give him no greater paise than to say his sidestepping reminds me of the GREAT Phil Bennett!
Sun Jan 18 11:22:37 2009

Ian Johnson, Stourbridge

Although I am English, I must say that Shane Williams is a breath of fresh air to rugby. He is small, but he has worked hard on his game over the years, and is now deservedly reaping the rewards. He is a naturally gifted ball player, elusive, with great acceleration, and now reads the game better than before.

What I love is that he gets himself involved, unlike the English wingers who stand isolated for major parts of the game. There is nothing more exhiliarating in world rugby than seeing Shane in full flow, sidestepping and jinking past opponents as if they are standing still.

The "Mighty Atom! " is truly magic, and will go down as one of the greatest Welsh and British wingers ever.


Wed Jan 14 17:08:36 2009

Darryll Seabourne, Bognor Regis
What can I say other than what has already been said. Magic, brilliant, outstanding, gifted. Nobody in England can touch him, keep playing Shane, you deserve your win.
Tue Dec 9 17:11:29 2008

Anthony Davies of Mandurah Western Australia

For me he has been "the man" I have lived in OZ for the past 26 years, was born in Llanelli, so followed the Scarlets all my early years, have seen all the great wingers in the past 55 years.

My man Shane has got the lot - maybe his height is an extra advantage for him, not that he needs any help, no he is and will go down with greats your Geralds, Bebbs, Ken Jones, Ieuan Evans etc Shane has got it all. What he loses in stature he makes up for with his brilliant skills, a similar played to Phil Bennett.


Tue Dec 2 10:08:24 2008

John Griffiths, Kidderminster,Worcs

As an old boy of AVCS Ammanford I have to give a 100% endorsement of the honour that's been bestowed on Shane. I have lived over the border for 30 years and have had to endure the slings and arrows of my friends and neighbours for far too long so to see the Mighty Atom win this is just brilliant.

As for those tries last season, words fail me. The Welsh team/squad thoroughly deserved the Championship in 2008 and Shane's amazing performance was due to this amazing group of players. As for 2009, we'll all have to wait but I am quietly confident. Diolch o galon i Shane am siwd atgofion! Hwyl am nawr.


Wed Nov 26 12:39:03 2008

Clive Poulton, Carmarthen.
When I first saw Shane I could not help thinking what a skinny little fellow he was and that despite displaying great talent at the time he would have to fill out a bit to make any impression. Not only has he built up his body weight but he has gone on to display outstanding skill and intuition in his position as a winger. Good luck to the boy, he's earned it.
Wed Nov 26 12:31:51 2008



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