'Williams one of rugby's greats'
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards has hailed the career of wing Shane Williams, as the 34-year-old prepares for his final Test match next weekend.
The Millennium Stadium is a fitting venue for Wales’s try-scoring record holder to play his 87th and last Test and attempt to add to his 57 international tries.
“Shane is a symbol of hope to anyone who wants to play rugby, showing them that no matter what shape or size you are, if you are good enough and determined enough, you can make it,” Edwards told the Western Mail.
“Players are getting bigger and bigger. If you compare the size of players now to 30 or 40 years ago, there’s no comparison.
“But then you get a guy who’s small in stature but big in ability, big in heart and determination, and he’s succeeded.
“Rugby will view him as an all-time great of the game.”
One of the highlights of Williams’s career was when the Welsh flyer was named as IRB Player of the Year in 2009.
“For a Welsh player to go and win World player of the Year is something we all have to be very proud of,” beamed Edwards.
Edwards also believes that Williams’s swansong is more than enough motivation for the team to put together a fantastic display to send him off on a high.
“Sentiment has to come into it,” he said.
“Our lads will want to rally around Shane a week on Saturday and take him out on a win.”
