Martyn Williams...!

The man is one of Wales greatest ever backrowers and to stand toe to toe with Terry Cobner, Dai Morris, Colin Charvis, John Gwilliam, Mervyn Davies, Scott Quinnell and John Taylor he is in the highest echelons of welsh rugby history.

MW played against some of the best players in the world and walked away with respect, often being the best Welsh player on the field.

He was fast, creative a great ball winner, had the passing and kicking skills of a world class center three-quarter and was the instigator and scorer of many try's.

It now looks like his international career is over.

Please can we pay him some respect for the Great Player he has been, and not ravage him in a surly manner as far too many posters are currently doing.

At 36 and with so much rugby played in his life it was always going to be a massive ask for him to make it to this world cup.

Thank god he didn't make it because we have talented young players who have usurped him rather than not making it because of injury and having nothing in the wings.

Long may he be an inspiration to all young welsh players.

99 welsh Caps
4 Lions Caps
45 Six nations appearances (a welsh record)
73 points for Wales
14 Tries
1 Drop Goal
3 RWCs

Won 44
Lost 56
Drawn 3

Fantastic player! extremely intelligent in attack as well as at ruck time.

Agree, he always gave 100% for what ever team he played for.

He did Welsh rugby a favour by coming out of retirement once, as there was actually no one who could fill his shoes. Proper player.

Drop goal!!! Nugget you can shag my sister

In fairness, its only his speed that has gone. His rugby brain and work on the ground is still very much up there but he just lacks that speed now otherwise he would have been going to the RWC. Age catches up with us all in the end but i certainly will never forget just how good a player he was in his full prime.

It wouldn't surprise me if he still makes the plane someones bound to stub their toe exiting a golf buggy in a hurry or find themselves arrested after trying to buy a Big Mac in Cardiff.

One of the Welsh players that I think was widely respected by opposition fans. Perhaps just a touch small and light to be a truly World class 7 in the modern game (noting that there have been some very good ones recently), but a player of consumate skill and intelligence and frequently Wales stand-out performer in an inconsistent team.

Very true dummy_half, as an Irishman i had a huge amount of respect for him as a quality player.

yes quality player and was a great servant to welsh rugby- always remember his try against france in 08 to seal the victory.

sadly back row players are much bigger and more physical now and while martyn's mind is still as sharp as ever his body has slowed down.

but a grea tservant none the less

Nuggett's been an awesome player and a great servant and advert for the game.

Shame we won't be seeing him on an International level anymore.

BATH_BTGOG wrote:It wouldn't surprise me if he still makes the plane someones bound to stub their toe exiting a golf buggy in a hurry or find themselves arrested after trying to buy a Big Mac in Cardiff.

judging by the toe injuries and general lardiness of the England squad in Cardiff it looks like they've already been there, done that and got the t-shirt.

I remember watching Martyn playing for Ponty, he was incredible, invariably the best player on the field.

Despite his 99 caps though, he never reached the heights at test level, where he has always lacked physical bulk and power which the best 7s seem to have in abundance.

I am not sorry he is not going to the World Cup, he has been a shadow of his former self this season, I for one would be happier remembering at his peak.