Shane 'Fronts Up' to the public

On the day of the Italy match in Cardiff, one recently retired international great was 'fronting up' to the public, at the Front Up clothing store, Cardiff.

Shane Williams retired in some style from International Rugby in November with a memorable last minute try against Australia. He is a grounded young man and has been carefully cultivating a number of business and media interests behind the scenes. One of these is his SW11 brand of clothing. On the 10th of March Shane was at the Front Up store in the St Davids 2 development in the middle of Cardiff singing autographs and having photos taken with a stream of fans. Such is the man's star quality that even after the crowds were dispersed on the conclusion of a two hour signing session, a fresh crowd gathered to see this correspondent conducting his amateur interview on a battered old dictaphone!

How is life since his retirement from international rugby?

Shane had thought that he would have plenty of time on his hands: "but I seem to be busier than ever!" He has a number of business committments, his media work and his clothing range to occupy him. "I'm keeping my options open, I have my commercial and Ambassadorial role at the Ospreys, the SW11 brand and range of clothing is expanding. I'm very busy, keeping my focus, but I'm enjoying it."

Does he intend to keep a direct involvement in rugby?

"I'm doing my coaching training at the moment. I do enjoy coaching at the lower levels, but I am very busy with other things at the moment. Maybe in 5 or 6 years I'll be coaching at the highest level, who knows."

What did he think of Adam Jones' view last year that he and Stephen Jones were the two members of the then Welsh set up most likely to become top coaches?

"I think Adam was just being nice to me!" On Stephen Jones: "his knowledge of the game is the best of any player who is still playing at that level. He's got the potential to be one of the best out there and I think he could be the Welsh coach in the future" Shane also felt that he wanted to give something back to the game and in the longer term coaching could be a way to do that.

Any advice for the under 20's?

"Work hard and listen. It's tougher to make it and be successfull. The likes of Jon Davies, Priestland and Halfpenny were in the under 20's. They've learnt, they've listened and they've worked hard on their game. The under 20's are all professional players and its a fine line between success and mediocrity. I would encourage them to keep trying hard and working hard."

Is there room for late developers in the game still?

"I'd like to think there are one or two "Shane Williamses" out there! Ryan Jones was a late developer, he was a goal keeper and a tennis player. Lee Byrne wouldn't have played much rugby in school or in the age grades. I'd like to think that there is room for late developers although they are likely to be few and far between due to the Academy system"

Are other sports important? Are there transferable skills?

"When I talk to youngsters I don't just encourage them to play rugby. There are other sports out there. I did gymnastics played football and anything else I could. Football helped me be a better Rugby player, gymnastics developed my physically, even golf, it's all about hand eye co'ordination, it will all help in their rugby career."

Was he excited about the link with SW11 and Front Up?

"We've brought the SW11 brand into Front Up as a tester to see how it would go and it's going really well. I've brought out Ladies stock after having abuse on twitter that I wasn't catering for them! The brand is developing on a weekly basis. Now I have time on my hands I'm prepared to take SW11 to another level."

How did he see the Italian game going later on?

"It's going to be very tough today. The Italians don't lie down for anyone. Wales just need to perform as they have been. They don't have to do anything special today. They need to keep it simple, look after the ball, get into the right areas of the pitch and the points will come. It's just patience against Italy. If you leave Italy get into the game at about 40-50 minutes it's going to be a tough day for you. Wales are a mature bunch of guys now, they know how to beat Italy. We're at home we will get a fantastic crowd including me as a Mad Taff watching them! We can do the job today."

And then it was over. The couteous, self affacing, international rugby star had a few moments to himself behind the scenes before signing even more autographs and working his way to the Millenium Stadium television studios...

I will publish this once we get the photos

Photo's have been sent to Glas

Penfro - did you enjoy it?

If you want to upload them, you can do so by opening up a free http://imageshack.us/ account You then upload the photo and it gives you a link.

If you do it that way, I can get it up straight away

Most of my Photo's are over 5MB so they are too big to upload

Should be able to get the Shane photo's up but the Italy one's are too big

PM for Adam

good photos!

These were my favourites:

"although they are liekly to be few and far" likely.
"one or two "Shane Williams's" out there" I think that should be: "one or two "Shane Williams'" out there"
"I've brough out Ladies stock " brought

It should be 'Shane Williamses.' Bus becomes buses, cross becomes crosses, Williams becomes Williamses.

Good work, Glas and Penfro!

Can I just say that Glas has forwarded me all of Penfros ictures -they are all 5meg plus!

Take them on a lower setting next time please!

The Technophobe is in the building!