Jump to main content

Shane: Bowl final with Amman means everything

Shane: Bowl final with Amman means everything

Shane Williams says Sunday’s National Bowl final will be up there with one of the biggest games he has ever played in.

Share this page:

The former world player of the year has ran out in a World Cup semi-final, scooped two Six Nations Grand Slams with Wales, and bagged the winning try for the British & Irish Lions in two Test matches.

Williams, now 40, will make his return to Principality Stadium on Sunday, lining-up on the wing for hometown club Amman United.

The Division Three West B side face Caerphilly RFC in the Bowl final and Williams insists he is just as excited for this game as he was for a the last four clash at the 2011 World Cup.

He said: “In my rugby career I always tried to do the jersey proud and this is no different. I’ve played in some big games – Celtic League finals, European quarter-finals, Grand Slam games and a World Cup semi-final. Those are the pinnacle of your career, but I’m equally as driven for this one.

“I had every intention of being on the bench whenever I played for Amman this season, as was the case in the semi-final, but I’ve got the call-up to start on the wing and I’m looking forward to it.”

Williams will play in the back three alongside his brother Dean and brother-in-law Gavin Lewis who starts at full-back. Amman beat Cardigan 29-3 in the semi-finals to book their final date with Caerphilly who edged out Cilfynydd 20-14.

Wing wizard Williams played 87 times for Wales, scoring 58 tries and also boasts four Lions caps to his name. And the 40-year-old, who his country’s leading try-scorer, revealed the excitement in the Amman camp ahead of the fixture at the home of Welsh rugby.

“We’ve got a WhatsApp group at the club and it’s been going off all week with excitement ahead of the game,” said Williams.

“It’s like listening to a bunch of 10-year-olds going on about the World Cup final – I’ve never known them so excited!

“Whatever happens it’s going to be a great occasion because with Amman, it’s about playing with your mates. None of the boys play for money, and most of them have been doing it together for years now.

“The boys deserve a chance to play at Principality Stadium, but it will be a tough game against Caerphilly.

“They’ve done really well to get to this stage too and whoever wins will deserve it on the day.”

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Official Broadcast Partners
BBC Cymru/Wales
S4C
Official Partners
Heineken
Isuzu
Guinness