Steve Williams Steps Down

“It was great to get back into the international fold under Steve Hansen last year. I thought my days in a Welsh shirt were over and I never really expected to earn a recall,” said Williams.

“I had missed 47 Tests between 1998 and 2002 and so when I was asked to put on the Welsh shirt again it was a huge honour.

“But after playing in the two Tests in South Africa, and then against Romania and Fiji later in the year, I was in two minds about whether or not to make myself available for the Six Nations Championship in 2003.

“In the end I did play in the championship, scoring a try against Italy, but it was harder than I thought to meet the mental and physical challenge of playing in so many high profile games in such a short space of time.

“I asked not to be considered for the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand and, even though there is a place in the World Cup Squad to fight for, I feel the time has come to step down from the international scene and concentrate on playing for my club.

“I would like to thank the players and coaches I’ve been associated with during my time with Wales for the help they gave me and I wish Steve Hansen and his team all the very best for the August internationals and their World Cup campaign.”

After playing for Wales Schools Under 18 and captaining Wales Under 21, Williams won his first cap as a No 8 on the Wales tour to Canada and the South Seas in 1994. He got off to a winning start with a 18-9 triumph over Tonga in Nukualofa.

He spent two years on the sidelines after that tour before picking up eight caps in 1996 and a further 11 in 1997. He then went back into the international wilderness between 1998-2002 before Steve Hansen brought him back into the fold.

Williams ends his Test career with 28 caps and two tries.