Two Cardiff Rugby legends will go head-to-head this weekend when Bedford Blues host Worcester Warriors in the final of the Elior Champ Rugby play-offs at Goldington Road.
Inspiring the home side will be former Wales full back Mike Rayer, while hoping to cause another upset for the Warriors will be former Wales scrum half Lloyd Williams.
Rayer has been director of rugby at Bedford since 2005 – he spent two years as a player there from 1996-98 – and left the Arms Park having made 367 appearances and scored 1,422 points.
Williams played a record 261 games for Cardiff Rugby, formerly Blues, and picked up 32 Welsh caps. He played at two World Cups and headed to the English Championship three seasons ago.
His first stop was Ealing Trailfinders before he switched to the reformed Worcester Warriors this season. How sweet it must have been for him to play in the game at Ealing that sent the reigning champions crashing out of the competition in a sensational 34-29 victory.
Having confirmed during the build up to the semi-final that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of this season, the win means he will have one final hurrah before pulling down the curtain on his amazing career.
“I can’t remember playing in a game that had such a dramatic turn-around in the last few minutes. One moment Ealing thought they’d won in and then we hit back with a matchwinning try to steal it,” said Williams.
“I had to come off in the 65th minute with a popped rib cartilage, so it was a bit nervy on the touchline. I’ve got a cortisone injection lined-up this week to ensure I can play in the final – I don’t want to miss that.
“Bedford have been up there with Ealing all season and have already beaten us twice. But after the semi-final it shows that anything is possible.
“It is going to be a great occasion for the club, the layers and the supporters. I couldn’t have asked for a better occasion to go out on.
“I’ve really enjoyed my short time at Worcester and it was an incredibly emotive day when we had our first home game back against Bath at the start of the season. We’ve had a small squad of players this season, and haven’t always been able to get out our best team, but we managed that against Ealing.
“We were determined to show that the Warriors are not only back as a viable team in the Championship, but that we mean business.”
Having raced into a 19-0 lead, the Warriors saw Ealing, who were unbeaten all season in the tournament, hit back to level and then edge ahead 24-19. Former Dragons and Wales U20 outside half Will Reed then scored a try to make it 24-24 with 13 minutes left to play.
A Reed penalty in the 75th minute put the Warriors back in charge before another former Wales U20 outside half, Dan Jones, scored a 79th minute try to put the champions back in front at 29-27. There was time for the re-start and the Warriors reclaimed it through Louis Brown.
Siva Naulago, who had already scored two tries for the visitors, cut a hole in the defence and released wing Jake Garside to run in the matchwinning try in the 80th minute. Reed added the extras and Williams was given an extra game to enjoy at the end of his career.
“I’ve had some great moments throughout my career and I’ve loved playing for Cardiff and the Warriors. I’m planning to have a summer off before starting a new business career back in Cardiff,” said Williams.
“When I was at Ealing I had time to study to take my exams to become an insurance broker. I’ve got a job lined up with Thomas Carroll and my boss is going to be Rob Jones.
“He has been good to me throughout my career in offering help and advice. After this week I’ll be calling him for help on something other than rugby.
“It would be great to sign off by winning a title, but I’ve already had some great moments in my career. The moment I played for Cardiff with my brother, Tom, is right up there because we always dreamt of playing together for the team we supported as youngsters.
“We also said we’d play together for Cowbridge before we retire, so I might have to fit in another game or two to tick that box. The 2015 World Cup and the win over England at Twickenham is an obvious highlight, as are making my first appearances for Cardiff and Wales.
“Then there is the Challenge Cup final win over Gloucester in Bilbao in 2018. What a moment that was for all of us.”
One more game, perhaps one more medal, for one of the stalwarts of Welsh rugby over the past decade and a half.