Shane Williams

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Shane Williams news, views, opinion and other content.

Dwayne Peel looks destined for the very top like Stephen | Shane Williams

25 April 2021 0 comments

WHEN we used to have backs’ meetings with Wales during my career there were always two men who were very vocal and dominated the conversation: […]

Rainbow Cup loses its meaning without Bok monsters | Shane Williams

25 April 2021 1 comment

IT’S a real shame the PRO14 Rainbow Cup began this weekend with confirmation the four South African teams won’t be coming to Europe. That was […]

Only threat to AWJ hitting high five is AWJ himself

25 April 2021 0 comments

I’M FED up of blowing smoke up Alun Wyn Jones’ you-know-what, but I’ve got no doubt he can go on and make a fifth World […]

Tandy has the talent to muzzle Springboks | Shane Williams

18 April 2021 3 comments

Shane Williams and Lions defence coach Steve Tandy go way back to when both were apprentices at Neath

Hope the Lions do John Dawes proud | Shane Williams

18 April 2021 1 comment

I’D LIKE to send my condolences to the family of John Dawes after the sad news of his death. John was a Welsh rugby legend. […]

Wrong to get second chance after seeing red | Shane Williams

18 April 2021 1 comment

Red card replacements, like those seen in Super Rugby Aotearoa, will not bring positive change to rugby as the Rainbow Cup prepares to trial the proposed law

Regions should not suffer for their service to country | Shane Williams

11 April 2021 0 comments

WALES’ four regions were conspicuous by their absence in Europe this weekend. To not even have one of our professional sides in the quarter-finals of […]

Spotlight rightly falls on women’s game now | Shane Williams

4 April 2021 1 comment

Wasn’t it great to see the Women’s Six Nations finally kick-off yesterday. And wasn’t it interesting to see it standing alone in the rugby calendar. […]

Faletau is back to his brilliant best – with years in front of him | Shane Williams

4 April 2021 0 comments

Taulupe Faletau is stuck, for now, on 99 Test caps – let’s hope he doesn’t follow Mike Phillips in not reaching the century

Credit Pivac, he made big calls and they paid off | Shane Williams

28 March 2021 0 comments

What a brilliant finish that was to the 2021 Six Nations! Scotland were superb and deserved their victory in France. Even if they hadn’t won […]

Ten Welsh will make the Lions squad now | Shane Williams

28 March 2021 1 comment

THE British & Irish Lions have confirmed they intend to tour South Africa this summer. If it does take place, there will be a lot […]

Welsh luck ran out but future looks much brighter | Shane Williams

21 March 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams looks back on Wales’ loss in Paris with admiration for Wayne Pivac’s side

I’m backing wonderful Wales all the way in Paris | Shane Williams

14 March 2021 0 comments

The Grand Slam is on for Wales, Shane Williams considers the likelihood after their win in Rome

Annihilate Italy then Grand Slam beckons | Shane Williams

7 March 2021 0 comments

Two matches await Wales in their crusade for a second Six Nations Grand Slam in three years

Triple Crown in the bag, now Wales can land that Grand Slam | Shane Williams

28 February 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams says Wales supporters should savour this victory over England, after a down 2020 followed World Cup agony

Sorry Leigh, Liam Williams goes full-back to get Josh in team | Shane Williams

21 February 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams casts his expert eye over who Wayne Pivac should select to give Wales their best shot of beating England

Super Louis got a nation off their sofas and roaring | Shane Williams

14 February 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams’ verdict on the classic Six Nations encounter between Wales and Scotland heaps praise on flyer Louis Rees-Zammit

I fancy Wales… if they can claim these key battles | Shane Williams

7 February 2021 0 comments

Which statistic is going to light you up most – that Wales have lost the last four games to Ireland or that Ireland haven’t won […]

Six Nations round table: Grand Slam or not, let’s see some style!

4 February 2021 0 comments

The Rugby Paper’s annual round table Six Nations debate looks a little different this year, but the discussion is just as analytical and fierce

Pivac could use some of Warren’s mindgames | Shane Williams

31 January 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams delves into how Warren Gatland made the ‘underdogs’ tag work for Wales in their endeavour to win the Six Nations

Dan Lydiate is the man to turn Wales into Six Nations contenders | Shane Williams

26 January 2021 5 comments

Even with Josh Navidi returning to full fitness, Shane Williams points to the significance Lydiate can hold within the Wales squad

Bring back old guard to steady the ship | Shane Williams

17 January 2021 0 comments

A number of Dragons players can hold a big value in Wayne Pivac’s Six Nations plans, writes Shane Williams

Eddie Jones is right, power is only part of the answer | Shane Williams

10 January 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams says physicality is an easy route to take in rugby and emphasis between the north and south hemisphere vary

Toby Booth has got my Ospreys playing with pride again | Shane Williams

8 January 2021 0 comments

Shane Williams sees a much more empassioned demeanour about the Ospreys since Booth’s arrival

If Lions can’t roam free on tour then call it off | Shane Williams

7 January 2021 1 comment

Player, management and fans safety has to remain at the forefront of the Lions concerns, as the UK and South Africa are gripped by rising coronavirus infection rates

It’s time to hand out my gongs for 2020| Shane Williams

30 December 2020 2 comments

Shane Williams also predicts what will happen in next year’s Six Nations and the Lions tour of South Africa

Here’s my team of the decade certainly one to stand test | Shane Williams

15 December 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams selects a Wales XV Team of the Decade and congratulates George North on his deserved selection by World Rugby

Morale-boosting finish to Wayne’s annus horriblis

9 December 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams delivers his verdict on Wales’ 38-18 victory over Italy to cap their up and down 2020

Shane Williams: It still wasn’t enough but Wales took a step forward

1 December 2020 0 comments

Read Shane Williams’ verdict on Wales’ loss to England at Parc y Scarlets, and how it relates to the pressure on Wayne Pivac

Shane Williams: Now we must up our game for England

24 November 2020 0 comments

Wales legend Shane Williams suggests what needs to be fixed by Wales against England

Williams column: Gethin Jenkins is a great fit for Sam’s sizeable shoes

23 October 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams says that if you are to lose Sam Warburton from your staff, Gethin Jenkins is an ideal replacement

Williams column: Selection that offers new opportunities didn’t come without surprise

14 October 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams is intrigued by the young players named in head coach Wayne Pivac’s squad for the autumn

Williams column: Don’t kill the Cheetahs off for the ‘Big Four’

8 October 2020 0 comments

Cheetahs could pay the price for the PRO14 wants to expand its broadcast revenue

Williams column: Scarlets will be PRO14 title contenders

2 October 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams previews the new PRO14 season and the chances for the four Welsh regions

Williams column: All eyes in South Africa will be on the Lions

24 September 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams looks ahead to the 2021 Lions tour, and reflects on his own experiences in South Africa

Gloucester's Welsh wizard Louis Rees-Zammit

Williams column: Louis Rees-Zammit is on track to be Wales’ next wing king

8 September 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams casts his eye over Wales’ options at wing as Louis Rees-Zammit goes from strength to strength at Gloucester

Williams column: Steff Evans has the talent to back up the mullet hair choice

1 September 2020 0 comments

Steff Evans has hit the ground running for the Scarlets after the return of the PRO14

Williams column: Tipuric key to getting Ospreys back on top

27 August 2020 0 comments

I’ll be at the Liberty Stadium today hoping the Ospreys can find a way to get back on the winning trail against the Dragons. Just […]

Williams column: Scarlets and Ospreys to win amid fireworks

21 August 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams previews the return of the PRO14 and expectations for the four Welsh regions

Williams column: 239 days later we can all look forward to seeing Wales in action

6 August 2020 0 comments

The Six Nations finale between Wales and Scotland gives Wayne Pivac a chance to get his plans back in motion

Williams column: Signature of Owen Farrell at Saracens is good news for Lions

24 July 2020 0 comments

Farrell could be one of many players to be on a third Lions tour next summer, Shane Williams write

Williams column: Global icon Dan Carter shows love for grassroots

14 July 2020 0 comments

Dan Carter’s return to boyhood club Southbridge is something Shane Williams did late in his care

Williams column: Beauden Barrett adds gloss to the Japan adventure

9 July 2020 0 comments

Clubs in Japan continue to spend big as rugby’s leading nations make cuts

Williams column: Mark Jones follows in ROG’s footsteps with Crusaders

3 July 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams asks why no-one in Wales spotted Mark Jones, snapped up by Scott Robertson and the Crusaders

Williams column: New Zealand crowds show they back the players

24 June 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams is pleased to see barely any empty seats in the crowds in Super Rugby Aotearoa

Kiwi crowds show they back their players

21 June 2020 0 comments

Igot to speak to Warren Gatland last week in the wake of rugby’s return in New Zealand. He was in great form and talked me […]

Chiefs have look of Euro champs

21 June 2020 2 comments

Europe crown awaits: Sam Simmonds scores Exeter’s fourth try against La Rochelle PICTURE: Getty Images NOW WE know the PRO14 will be returning in August […]