Bring on the world champions, says Blues and Wales star Martyn

Mar 28 2008 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

MARTYN Williams has confirmed that he has made himself available to tour South Africa this summer.

The Cardiff Blues flanker, who came out of retirement to perform brilliantly in the Grand Slam campaign says he is keen to tackle the world champions in Wales’ two-Test assignment in early June and that Warren Gatland is of the same mind.

“We just had a very casual chat where he asked me how I was feeling and whether I fancied going on tour,” said Williams, 32.

“I said ‘if you want to take me I will definitely go’ and we left it at that really. I didn’t think I would be going, but by all accounts from when I spoke to him he is keen to take me – and I’m keen to go.”

And Williams underlined that physically, he is feeling fine.

“I feel good enough, I’m fresh, physically and mentally.

“It has been a long year what with the World Cup, but I have been fortunate that I have not had to play week-in, week-out for the Blues because Robin (Sowden-Taylor) has been there.

“Everyone is on a high at the moment, everyone is champing at the bit.”

The first game of Wales’ tour will be in Bloemfontein.

The venue for the June 7 clash was in doubt due to work at Free State’s Vodacom Park stadium ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup.

The tour ends the next Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.