Shane Williams, Wales' all-time leading try-scorer, will pull on his boots once more at the age of 49 for a charity match at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night. The former international, who retired from the game in 2015, will take part in this year's Match for Mental Health, a fixture raising funds for mental health charities LooseHeadz and Tough Enough to Care.
Williams will line up alongside former players including Marc Breeze, Olly Robinson, Sam Cross and Chris Czekaj. Former Wales internationals Josh Navidi and Scott Andrews will also be involved as coaches. This is the second year of the charity match, following the first game last year.
Williams on returning to contact rugby
Speaking about donning his boots once more, Williams said: "The last charity rugby match I played was against Tough Enough To Care. I was apprehensive about playing contact rugby again, but once we started running around, laughing and joking, it all came back."
He added: "You make a tackle, somebody tackles you and your mate picks you up off the floor. It takes you back — whether that is to a Grand Slam, a World Cup semi-final or a game you played at school. It reminded me how much I love rugby and the people around it. As long as my body can cope, I would like to keep doing things like this."
Williams also noted that his brother-in-law will be playing in the same team on Friday, and that he has not played alongside him for about seven years. He said: "There is the catching up before and after, the interaction with supporters and, most importantly, raising awareness for these charities. I still get nervous and excited, which takes me back to those big games. I cannot wait."
Mental health awareness in rugby
Regarding what stands out about both charities, Williams said: "The openness and honesty. People look at rugby players as these big, physical people who run over opponents and make huge tackles. These charities help show that mental health affects people regardless of how strong they look."
He continued: "Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes. Whether you are the smallest scrum-half or a huge prop, you can relate to somebody on the field. If a big, physical rugby player can speak openly about struggling, it helps show that anybody can. Both charities have brilliant people involved, including former players and internationals who understand the challenges of sport, retirement and feeling alone."
Williams added: "They help create those conversations. On Friday, that might start with catching up, having a laugh and talking to somebody you have not seen for years. Before you know it, you might be organising a golf trip with 10 former teammates. That reconnection is part of what it is about."
Wales prospects in the Nations Championship
Following Friday's match, Williams will return to his punditry duties, alongside his work as head of rugby academy at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. He expressed hope that Steve Tandy's side will enjoy a solid Nations Championship campaign next month.
He said: "I certainly hope we are ready to beat Japan, and I think we are. There is some positivity in Welsh rugby. The regions are doing reasonably well, and hopefully that feeds into the national team. The Ospreys had a good bonus-point win at St Helen's. The Dragons have shown encouraging signs under Filo Tiatia, Cardiff are doing well and the Scarlets are playing some good rugby."
Williams added: "Steve Tandy is well respected and has put together a decent squad. Do I see Wales beating the All Blacks? Probably not. But Japan and Australia should be games they target, particularly at home. I hope the support is there and we can get some positivity back around the Welsh jersey. I am backing the boys."
The Match for Mental Health at Cardiff Arms Park kicks off at 7.30pm on Friday. Adult tickets cost £10, with free admission for children under 10. Tickets are available through Cardiff Rugby's ticketing website, and further information is available on the LooseHeadz event page.
