Shane Williams

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

Shane Williams column: Keep the same Wales team and let’s win a Six Nations Grand Slam

13 March 2019 0 comments

Shane Williams’ thoughts on the win at Murrayfield and Wales shot at a Grand Slam

Shane Williams column: Do I think this is the best Wales team ever? You’re damn right I do

28 February 2019 0 comments

Stop asking the question, they’ve hit the heights

Take your bow, but you’ll need to step up

13 February 2019 0 comments

The former Wales international speaks about last weekend’s victory over Italy and looks ahead to the forthcoming England game.

5 players Shane Williams believes can become core players for Wales in Japan

4 January 2019 0 comments

Players not named Jones, Faletau, or Halfpenny who Williams is backing for a big 2019

Jackson column: Wales’ route to hitting expectations at the World Cup

3 January 2019 0 comments

Peter Jackson looks at how the northern hemisphere’s two in-form teams, Wales and Ireland, could meet in the RWC2019 semis

Shane Williams column: Ospreys pack must deliver carnage over Christmas

20 December 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams looks ahead to the Scarlets v Ospreys clash on Saturday

Williams column: This is the strongest Welsh squad I have ever seen

29 November 2018 0 comments

Will one of Ireland, Wales or England make the World Cup semi-finals?

Williams column: Wales will be ready for the Aussies now

7 November 2018 0 comments

Limit the game to forwards play and Wales can be victorious over Wallabies

Williams column: England need virtuosos like Chris Ashton and Cipriani

14 September 2018 0 comments

Ashton and Cipriani are off-the-cuff entertainers, writes the former Wales wing

Shane Williams column: It’s right to let regions take control once more

7 September 2018 0 comments

Is the timing right to move past National Dual Contracts?

Williams column: Deafening WRU silence over the future of Cardiff Arms Park worries me

23 August 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams gives his take on the future of a ground with grand standing in the history of Welsh rugby

Williams column: Why I’m rooting for Alex Cuthbert and Tom James this season

11 July 2018 0 comments

Alex Cuthbert is making a fresh start at Exeter and Tom James is back in training with Cardiff after battling depression

Williams column: George North can bring good times back to Ospreys

2 May 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams believes the incoming signing can lift the mood at the Liberty Stadium

Williams column: Exploit the weak link in Leinster midfield

18 April 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams talks tactics for Leinster v Scarlets in the Champions Cup semis

Williams column: Shame Cardiff Blues didn’t go for home-grown option

27 March 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams questions why Wales looks set to have no Welsh head coaches in charge of the regions next season

Williams column: Irish ‘bullies’ gave us a lesson at the breakdown

28 February 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams says Wales must still respect the value of the Six Nations as their title hopes fade into nothing in Dublin

Williams column: George North blow means we’ll rely more on Steff Evans

10 January 2018 0 comments

Shane Williams explains why George North is a ‘world-class’ player and why he is vital to Wales

Williams column: Ability of new caps offers Wales reasons to be cheerful after below-par 2017

29 December 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams says Welsh provinces enjoyed a better 2017 than the national team

Williams column: Ospreys would be the best fit for George North

15 December 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams offers his opinion on who is the most likely fit for the Northampton and Wales wing

Shane Williams column: Learn lessons and put South Africa to the sword!

30 November 2017 0 comments

Wales must learn from New Zealand loss and be more clinical against the Boks this weekend…

Williams column: The one player who can give Wales hope against the All Blacks

22 November 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams reviews Wales’ lacklustre performance against Georgia and looks ahead to the All Blacks Test

Williams column: Give Liam the key to drive Wales’ attack from full back

8 November 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams is teeming with curiosity how Warren Gatland will experiment with the Wales back three

Williams column: Give Owen Williams the reins to drive brave new dawn for Wales

2 November 2017 0 comments

Wales and Lions legend Shane Williams looks at the Wales squad for the autumn internationals and suggests who should start

Give Owen the reins to drive brave new dawn

29 October 2017 0 comments

Deserves a chance at 12: Gloucester centre Owen Williams PICTURE: Getty Images Finally, my prayers have been answered! I’ve banged on for so long now […]

Williams column: Time for Warren Gatland to blood new Dragons

18 October 2017 0 comments

By Shane Williams NOW IS the time for Wales to roll the selection dice. Warren Gatland will name his squad for the November Tests next […]

Williams column: Losing one is unfortunate, losing two may be catastrophic

11 October 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams on the situation at Ospreys with Biggar and Webb set to leave

Shane Williams column: There’s only one man in my mind who can replace Wilson at Cardiff

3 October 2017 0 comments

By Shane Williams WHAT a shambles it is right now at Cardiff Blues. I must admit I was very surprised to see Danny Wilson announce […]

Shane Williams: Sam’s a huge loss but it may work out well for the future

22 September 2017 0 comments

Sam Warburton‘s injury is a huge blow for Wales. I thought he was outstanding on the Lions tour and his displays in the second and […]

Shane Williams: Dan’s a big loss but Ospreys do have Sam

14 September 2017 0 comments

Dan Biggar is a colossal loss to Welsh rugby. It was no surprise to see his move to Northampton Saints confirmed this week – we […]

Shane Williams: I won’t be tempted to write off Kings yet

7 September 2017 0 comments

The start of a new era in the Guinness PRO14 saw all eyes on Llanelli as defending champions Scarlets took on South African newcomers Southern […]

We should back this grassroots initiative from Ryan

3 September 2017 1 comment

I WAS fascinated to see my old team-mate Ryan Jones launch a new initiative through the Welsh Rugby Union to try to get more second […]

I won’t be tempted to write off Kings yet

3 September 2017 2 comments

Asset: Yaw Penxe bursts out of a tackle to score for Kings PICTURE: Huw Evans The start of a new era in the Guinness PRO14 […]

Shane Williams: Quest for Autumn success starts now

18 August 2017 0 comments

The Rugby Championship is a tournament I’ve always enjoyed watching. Its brilliant rugby, played in great conditions and it involves some of the best players […]

Quest for Autumn success starts now

13 August 2017 1 comment

Bogey team: Australia have Kurtley Beale back PICTURE: Getty Images THE Rugby Championship is a tournament I’ve always enjoyed watching. It’s brilliant rugby, played in […]

Regions can fly in low and then rise for prizes

13 August 2017 2 comments

THE closer it gets to the launch of the PRO14, the more I think the Welsh regions are going to go into the new season […]

Shane Williams: Scarlets can get Leigh back to his attacking best

10 August 2017 0 comments

Now the Guinness PRO14 is all sorted, I’m looking forward to the campaign ahead because I think there have been some really exciting signings over […]

Shane Williams: Break the bank to keep Biggar at Ospreys

2 August 2017 0 comments

Here’s my message to the Welsh Rugby Union; you have to try and pull out all the stops to help keep Dan Biggar at the […]

Break the bank to keep Dan at Ospreys

30 July 2017 0 comments

Key man at Ospreys: Dan Biggar PICTURE: Getty Images HERE’S MY message to the Welsh Rugby Union; you have to try and pull out all […]

Handling of expansion has become a shambles

30 July 2017 1 comment

I COVERED the expansion of the Guinness PRO12 in my column last week, but seven days later we’re no closer to knowing what’s happening in […]

Shane Williams: Leigh needs future sorted double fast

27 July 2017 0 comments

I really feel for Leigh Halfpenny. What a situation he’s in. To be without a club at this stage isn’t ideal at all with the […]

Wales must start planning for life after Gatland now

19 July 2017 0 comments

By Wales and Lions legend Shane Williams The Lions tour told us many things about Northern Hemisphere rugby. It showed our sides can compete with […]

Ref Poite got it wrong but Warburton worked his diplomatic magic

12 July 2017 0 comments

By Shane Williams THIS WAS an incredible achievement by the Lions. I don’t understand those people who are saying it was a damp squib of […]

Shane Williams: Sexton and Farrell are certain to get better and better playing together

6 July 2017 0 comments

It was a privilege to be in Wellington to watch this thriller of a game; it was right up with the best sporting occasions I’ve […]

Shane Williams: Breathtaking, now let’s hope all regions can build on success

31 May 2017 0 comments

What a win, what a performance, what a team! Hats off to everyone at the Scarlets because they’ve managed to do something I didn’t think […]

Shane Williams: We need Bomb back coaching OUR props

25 May 2017 0 comments

I’ve always had a lot of time for Adam Jones, but he didn’t strike me as a potential coach, not initially at least. That said, […]

We need Bomb back coaching OUR props

21 May 2017 1 comment

Brain’s trust: Graham Rowntree talks with Adam Jones during Quins training PICTURE: Getty Images I’VE ALWAYS had a lot of time for Adam Jones, but […]