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WELSH RUGBY LEGEND SHANE WILLIAMS SPEAKS AT RHYL RUGBY DINNER.

Last Saturday night, 28th January, was a red letter day at Rhyl Rugby’s Sports and Social Club when all-time great Welsh rugby star Shane Williams delighted a sell out audience with personal reminiscences of his distinguished career and strong views on the current state of Welsh rugby.

Shane played 87 times for Wales between 2000 and 2011, scoring a Welsh record 58 tries, winning a Grand Slam and being voted IRB Player of the Year in 2008. He also toured 3 times with the British and Irish Lions. He spoke with great warmth and endearing honesty about his early career with all its ups and downs, and charmed his audience with a series of amusing anecdotes concerning his experiences and his team mates.

The dinner was the second event in Rhyl Rugby’s programme – “Rugby Looks After Its Own” – a series of fund raising occasions to raise money in support of seriously injured rugby players. Saturday’s event was in aid of John Griffiths, who suffered financial hardship as a result of a very badly broken and dislocated ankle earlier in the season. The audience responded magnificently and, expertly marshalled by Club Chairman and Master of Ceremonies, Richard Greenwood, the fund raising target was reached with something to spare. The surplus generated will launch a fund to insure all the Club’s senior players against injury in the future.

At the end of the proceedings Shane was inundated with praise and with requests for selfies, autographs and handshakes, which he undertook with great patience and charm. He is not only a supremely gifted rugby player, but also a great gentleman, who left a long lasting impression on his grateful audience.

Rhyl Rugby now looks forward to arranging more dinners and events in its “Rugby Looks After Its Own” programme.