Martyn gets Blues stick as ’Son of Gats’

Mar 20 2008 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

MARTYN Williams has earned himself a new nickname among his Blues team-mates following his Grand Slam exploits.

“We’re calling him SOG from now on,” explained skipper Xavier Rush.

“It stands for Son of Gats!”

You can only deduce that Williams’ new tag is a reference to the closeness of his relationship with Warren Gatland.

Though, after the quality of his displays throughout the Six Nations, it’s hardly surprising the pair are hitting it off.

Rush has always been a fan of his Arms Park colleague – but he says he was bowled over watching Williams blitz his way through the championship after coming out of retirement.

“I didn’t take much notice of the Grand Slam in 2005, but I heard he was the player of the tournament then,” Rush added.

“But this time he was absolutely brilliant for all five of the games.

“It was just great to see him come back from retirement and perform like that.

“It would have been sad if he had ended his career on the kind of note that Wales struck in going out of the World Cup.

“What a great decision he made when Warren Gatland approached him.

“His contribution to that Grand Slam was massive, as good as I have seen.”