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In Profile: Shane Williams

In Profile: Shane Williams
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A look back at Shane Williams's prolific international career.

Wales and Ospreys winger Shane Williams will pull on the red jersey for the final time when Wales take on Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

As the 34-year-old makes way for new blood on the Welsh wing, Sports Mole takes a look back at his remarkable international career.

Born in Swansea in 1977, Williams grew up a keen footballer in the Amman Valley.

Told he was too small to play rugby, Williams eventually played his first game for Amman United RFC at the invitation of his friends.

Williams signed his first professional contract with Neath in 1998 and went on to make his Wales debut against France in 2000 at just 5ft 7in and weighing in at just over 11 stone.

A series of hamstring injuries in 2002 left him out of favour for Wales, but after signing with the Ospreys in 2003, Williams fought his way back into the Welsh setup.

Williams played an instrumental part in Wales's Grand Slam year in 2005, scoring tries against Italy, Scotland and England, and he was named in the British and Irish Lions squad for their tour to New Zealand in the same year.

He earned his 50th Welsh cap against Japan in the 2007 World Cup, scoring two tries in the process.

Williams's most prolific year came in 2008, when he helped Wales to another Six Nations Grand Slam with tries against Scotland, Italy, Ireland and France. He was named the first Welsh IRB Player of the Year, won the BBC Welsh Sports Personality of the Year and became Wales's all-time leading try-scorer with 41.

He was named in the 2009 Lions squad for their tour to South Africa and scored twice in their 28-9 final Test victory over the Springboks.

Williams announced his plans to retire after the 2011 World Cup, but later decided to play his last game against Australia at the Millennium Stadium after Wales's impressive run in New Zealand.

Williams goes into his 87th and final Welsh match with 59 tries – putting him third on the all-time world rugby list.

"It will be a great day for me if I go out with a bang, celebrating a victory," Williams said ahead of his final appearance.

"I am more excited than upset that it is going to be my last game for Wales. I am determined to end it with a win and what matters above everything is that we carry on as we performed in the World Cup. The future for Wales is exciting."

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