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Martyn Williams, rugby player

Martyn Williams. Copyright: Huw Evans picture agency

"You've got to keep a level head," says the Wales and Cardiff Blues flanker.

Raise Your Game: How did it feel to be part of the Wales squad when they claimed their first win against England at Twickenham for 20 years in 2008?

Martyn Williams: It obviously gave us a lot of confidence. The buzz around the Wales camp at the time was absolutely brilliant but we all knew that we had to keep our feet on the ground. If we had gone out and lost the next game, the win at Twickenham would have counted for nothing. We've always got to make sure that we back it up with more strong performances.

RYG: You were obviously a major motivating factor for both the Welsh fans and the squad, especially when you announced that you were coming out of international retirement. How does that make you feel?

Profile

Name:
Martyn Elwyn Williams

Born:
1 September 1975

From:
Pontypridd

Height:
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)

Weight:
15 st 10 lbs (100 kg)

Game:
Rugby

Position:
Flanker

Internationals:
Wales
British and Irish Lions

Club:
Cardiff Blues

Achievements:
Martyn Williams broke the Welsh record for Five and Six Nations championship appearances on February 27 2009, overtaking the mark of 45 set by Wales scrum-half legend Gareth Edwards.

MW: I'm just one small part in the squad. We all work really hard for the team. I'm just fortunate enough and humbled that Warren (Gatland) asked me back, especially when I look back at that historic victory against England at Twickenham.

Around Christmas time in 2008 I didn't think I'd be part of the team but it's great to be back with the boys and they've all made me feel really welcome.

RYG: For the Six Nations 2008 the new Welsh coaches clearly introduced their methods into the training camp. How has game preparation changed?

MW: It's very different. The way they want us to play and the style they want us to play is perhaps a little bit different to what we've done previously. The structure of the week is a little different as well, but as a player that's exactly what you want.

I think you can get into a comfort zone and that's not a good place to be so it's important to keep getting challenged and to continue being tested. The coaches are constantly challenging us and it gets tougher as the weeks go on so hopefully we can show that on the pitch with the results.

RYG: What do you say to yourself to motivate and increase your performance?

MW: I think that motivation is down to the individual. Some guys will motivate themselves from a Monday onwards and others perhaps won't look forward to the game until the day before, or even the day of the game. Personally, I just feed off the other boys. The enthusiasm of the younger players lets you see how much they want it and it spurs you on.

RYG: The success against England at Twickenham in 2008 gave us an increased expectation for the future of the Welsh team. How do you deal with that sort of pressure?

MW: We've got to stay close as a squad. You can't let outside factors affect you because in Wales if we lose we're the worst team in the world, but then we can win one game and be the best team in the world, so we've got to keep a level head.

The biggest thing is that we've got to keep working hard. Our victory against England in 2008 didn't happen by chance. It was all down to a lot of hard work and that's what we've got to continue to do.

RYG: What advice would you give to young players?

MW: Just to enjoy it. Enjoy it and work hard. You don't beat the best teams by mistake. You need to put in a lot of hard work. There's no taking shortcuts but you've got to keep enjoying yourself as well because if you're not enjoying yourself there's no point in doing it.


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