News

`Nugget` puts his hand up for SA tour

Friday 28th March 2008

Martyn Williams: Waiting for SA

Cardiff Blues and Wales flanker Martyn Williams, who came out of retirement to help Wales to their Grand Slam, has confirmed he is available to tour South Africa with Wales this June.

Williams' availability now means that coach warren Gatland can take his full Grand Slam-winning squad down south to face the world champions.

Gatland sat down with Williams in the aftermath of the Welsh victory over France and asked the flanker if he wanted a rest. Williams said he barely even had to think of the answer.

"We just had a very casual chat where he asked me how I was feeling and whether I fancied going on tour," said the Blues openside.

"I said if you want to take me I will definitely go and we just left it at that really.

"I didn't think I would be going, but by all accounts from when I spoke to him he is keen to take me - and I'm keen to go."

The news will be especially welcome for Gatland, as back-up openside Robin Sowden-Taylor is an injury doubt for the tour with a damaged shoulder.

"I feel good. I'm fresh enough and, physically and mentally, I feel great," he said to the Western Mail.

"It has been a long year, what with the World Cup, but I have been fortunate that I've not had to play week in, week out for the Blues because Robin has been there.

"At this moment, I feel fine. It is a long season, but we are managed pretty well and the tour will only be a couple of weeks - and just two games."

"Everybody is excited to go out there. After the last Grand Slam in 2005, we split up because there was a Lions tour. It will be nice for this group of players to stay together and keep the momentum going.

"It won't be easy out there because the South African players will be coming off the back of their Super 14 season.

"But the one thing we will have going out there is a bit of confidence. It will be good to see where we are. We want to test ourselves against the best and that's what we will be doing.

"It will be the European champions against the world champions, so it's pretty mouth-watering."

Wales will play their first match against the Boks in Bloemfontein on Saturday, June 7, with the second Test to be played at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, seven days later.