Williams quits Wales
Martyn Williams may be one of a number of Welsh retirees
Monday, 01, Oct 2007 01:02
Wales flanker Martyn Williams has announced his retirement from international rugby following the team's shock World Cup exit at the weekend.
The veteran scored a try in Saturday's pulsating 38-34 defeat to Fiji which ended Wales' hopes of progressing beyond the pool stages.
He follows head coach Gareth Jenkins out of the international set-up after he was sacked by the Welsh RFU amid pressure from fans who have witnessed a series of below-par performances.
"I just think it's the right time to step aside," he told the Western Mail.
"I have had 11 years and I have achieved way more than I thought I would.
"It's been an honour and a privilege to play for Wales.
"It's meant a hell of a lot to me, but everything has to come to an end eventually and that is me done now."
Williams, 32, played in the grand slam-winning Six Nations team of 2005 and was named player of the championship that year.
He was an ever-present in the most recent World Cup campaign, his second after he also played in the 2003 tournament in Australia.
In his 76 caps, Williams has scored 13 tries including a five-minute brace against France in the 2005 Six Nations and has also captained his country on several occasions since making his debut with the armband against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2003.