After the World Cup, Welsh Flanker Martyn Williams announced his retirement from international rugby after Wales was eliminated from Rugby World Cup 2007 by Fiji. He probably never imagined that he would be lifting any international rugby hardware. Yet, after Wales beat France yesterday in Cardiff to complete it’s grand slam in this 2008 Six Nations Tournament, there was Williams, all over the Millennium Stadium in rucks, tackling like a demon and scoring the try that ended up killing France’s small hopes for good in a 29-12 win. In a match where all of the men in red played with a great deal of heart, Martyn Williams was just great.
The two plays that kind of symbolized the day for the French were both in the second half, France had a scrum put-in around the Welsh 22, the Welsh pack just BLEW the French off the ball and ended up controlling the ball and putting it out of harm’s way. The second play was when France’s Jauzion dropped the ball, Shane Williams was on the ball like white on rice. He booted the ball about 35 meters downfield, picked up the ball and planted the ball down for a try that just sent the Welsh fans into rapture.
Good thing that the Welsh Rugby Union has inked coach Warren Gatland to a 4 year contract. He has done just a fantastic job, when 6 months ago, Wales could not even make it out of group play at RWC 2007. If Wales would like to keep improving for RWC 2011 in New Zealand, the Welsh Rugby Union better do all that they can to keep this guy happy and under contract.
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