Image via Paul Husband Photography
"The support you get on a Lions tour is unbelievable - unlike anything you get at club or country"
How on earth did you end up working as an Ambassador for Venatour in Cheltenham?
I’ve travelled all over the World with my rugby and as a player you don’t get to interact with the fans too often. When my old coach Sean Holley, another Venatour Ambassador approached me to travel with Venatour to the 2013 Lions I jumped at the chance and loved every minute of it. I guess I’m now hooked! What advice would you give to a 17 year old Shane Williams? I wouldn’t change a thing if I’m honest. I was always told I was too small. I enjoyed my rugby and believed in myself. I guess the rest is history! What is your greatest achievement? I think to represent the British and Irish Lions on 3 different Tours is special, and to win so many Grand Slams with Wales. But being named the IRB Player of the Year in 2008 is pretty hard to beat. Where’s the best stadium to play rugby (as well as the Millennium)? The Principality Stadium (formerly the Millennium) is the best place in the World for me but I do enjoy Ellis Park in South Africa and the atmosphere at the ‘Cake Tin’ in Wellington, New Zealand for the Second Lions Test in 2005 was electric. |
Are you enjoying “retirement”?
I am enjoying it but you do miss the camaraderie of the team and the rugby environment – that’s a very special feeling. But I’ve kept myself busy by throwing myself into things like triathlons and the IronMan Wales competition which keeps me in training. I also have several business interests most notably a family oil business that I’m learning about and really enjoying. What is your proudest moment?
My first cap for Wales was a proud moment, and my last, as all my family were there. Who was your toughest opponent? Marking Alesana Tuilagi was always tough but I always had great tussles with Bryan Habana. Sometimes I’d get the better of him and vice versa, but the respect was always there. Is the Wales head coach a position you would one day want? That’s probably one of the toughest jobs in World Rugby knowing the Welsh public and media as I do. I’m not sure I’ll ever throw myself into coaching just yet but lets see what happens in the future. Describe Shane Williams in 3 words. Relaxed, busy, fast! What makes a Lions tour so special? There is no greater honour in professional rugby than to represent the British and Irish Lions. You are told about the legacy of the jersey and what you have to do to keep that tradition. It’s awe inspiring to be around the greats of the past and present. Who was the best captain/coach you have played under? Again it’s difficult for me to single out individuals. I have been lucky to have had some great captains for club, country and the Lions. The likes of Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones spring to mind, Paul O’Connell is an inspirational man. Wales have had some great coaches in recent times and Warren Gatland has been very successful. It was an honour too to play under Ian McGeechan for the Lions in 2009. Is there any chance of a comeback? I recently ran out for my home club Amman United and that experience has probably put the lid on it!! |
What do you miss the most about not playing?
As I said it’s the day to day interaction with the boys. When you play a team sport in front of big crowds, its an exhilarating experience and an adrenaline rush that’s difficult to replicate. Is a Lions tour as good as a spectator as it was as a player? It’s certainly different. As a player you recognise how many supporters have saved their hard earned money and travelled so far to watch you. The support you get on a Lions tour is unbelievable – unlike anything you get at club or country. When you are amongst the supporters as a travelling fan, there is a special feeling of unity as the countries come together. In Australia I loved it. Everyone has such a good time and gets behind the team – whatever the Nationality. Who is your biggest role model? I am a big fan of many so I cant single out too many. David Campese was a big hero of mine and to commentate with him on the 2013 Lions tour was amazing. I have huge respect for Brian Habana as a player and a person but there are lots of people who have helped me throughout my career that I m extremely grateful to. Which player did you always want by you in a scrap? That’s easy I suppose – Mike Phillips!... or Jerry Collins... What do you do in your spare time? I like to keep fit so I train for triathlons and take part in some outdoor and extreme events. I’ve done 2 IronMan Wales races and next year I’ll be getting involved with a Cycle Sportive event run by Man Up UK in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. I like fishing and I’m enjoying spending some time with my young family as my boy Carter has started to play tag rugby! Are the IronMan challenges harder than a game of rugby? It’s harder over a longer period. I suppose you get rests in a rugby match but for a 12 hour IronMan there’s a little voice in your head that keeps saying “What the hell are you doing?” !! so yes its tough, but I really enjoy the training and the sense of achievement! |
