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 Williams to retire after World Cup 9/9/2010 - 7:19:51 PM  Shane Williams says his Wales career will come to an end following next year's World Cup. In an interview on Welsh language broadcaster S4C's Rygbi a Mwy programme, to be broadcast tomorrow night, the 33-year-old Ospreys winger says: "It depends how far Wales go in next year's World Cup finals and whether I'm picked, but my last game in a Welsh shirt will be during the World Cup." While Williams, Wales' record try scorer with 51, was widely expected to quit the Test arena after the global showpiece in New Zealand, the interview is the first time he has publicly stated that is when he plans to step down. The Amman United product won his first cap in 2000 as a replacement against France and scored his first try against Italy on his first start. But a series of injuries saw him become a peripheral figure and he even pondered giving up the game before re-establishing himself at the 2003 World Cup with his thrilling displays against New Zealand and England. He has since been an integral part of the national squad under coaches Steve Hansen, Mike Ruddock, Gareth Jenkins and Warren Gatland. Williams was part of the 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam triumphs, scoring six tries during the second of those successes and being named IRB World Player of the Year for 2008. He was also a Lions tourist in 2005 and 2009, scoring two tries in the third Test win in South Africa last year. The Williams sat out Wales' recent summer tour of New Zealand to allow himself to get a full pre-season under his belt before Gatland's side begin their World Cup preparations with their upcoming autumn series against Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand. Williams, who currently has 73 caps to his name, still has a year remaining on his Ospreys contract and has hinted he is likely to commit his future to the region as opposed to looking for a big-money move to a club in England or France. |
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