Wales face Japan, New Zealand and Australia at Principality Stadium on consecutive weekends this November as the Nations Championship returns to action.
Men’s national squad team and operations manager Martyn Williams scored 14 tries during his own 100-cap playing career, four of which came against our upcoming opponents in Cardiff.
WRUtv sat down with him to reminisce ahead of this November’s games.
When Wales played Japan at Principality Stadium during Rugby World Cup 2007 Williams touched down for a brace of tries as Wales won 72-18.
“I didn’t have to do much [for the first try],” he said “a nice little dart from Gareth Cooper and just picked me off. I was alright over 15-20 metres, any further I’d struggle a bit.
“Could have given it to Shane, but he’s obviously scored enough himself, hasn’t he? So I kept hold of that one.”
The second try came in the 74th minute, “It’s a really good ball, that is, in fairness,” added Williams “Ceri Sweeney, just flat to the line.
“Wouldn’t have been my forte really, just trucking up through the middle, but again, I think the Japanese defence is questionable by there, a little bit fatigued. It was just the ball really, I didn’t have to break stride.
“Looking back at this it’s a bit of a dodgy way to put the ball down. I should be sliding, but yeah, nice, comfortable win.”
Williams’ tenth international try came against New Zealand when they visited Cardiff in 2006.
“I honestly can’t remember this try,” Williams commented “but now I’ve seen this from a line-out. It’s a driving line-out try, isn’t it?
“As an open side, I should have had a lot more of these, but I remember thinking just stay behind Adam Jones, because they ain’t moving him.
“When you do score a try at the back of a maul, you get all the credit for it but you don’t really do anything. All the hard work’s going on in front of you.”
“20 years ago this one, I wasn’t it?” said Williams of his ninth international try which he scored in the 29-29 draw with Australia on 4 November 2006.
“I do remember this one vividly because I think they played the great Matt Giteau at scrum half didn’t they?
“And then I can just remember Shanks [Tom Shanklin], fair play, a half-decent kick off his left foot, but I can see it in my head unfolding out. Not quite like the Josh Adams try from the Fiji game [this July], but it was just a case of just chase down a lost cause, you never know what might happen.
“I’m quite proud, actually. The pick-up, it was quite a good pick-up, dodgy celebration, mind just kicking it into the stand.
“I just kept going and then it’s just a bit of a calamity and then pretty good skills, actually. I couldn’t do that now, I’m telling you. I couldn’t bend down that quickly and scoop it up.
Williams is confident there will be more for fans to enjoy when Wales play the Wallabies again on 21 November: “Australia Wales games are always really exciting, always awesome to watch. I think both teams go out to score tries.
“We’re a young group, we’re definitely growing. The three teams we are playing all like to play rugby and so do we, so I think anyone who came to last autumn or to the last few Six Nations games, the atmosphere’s been incredible, so hopefully it’ll be again this autumn.
Don’t miss your next opportunity to see Wales in action. Tickets for all autumn games are on sale now from only £13.50 U18s and £26 Adults via WRU.WALES/TICKETS