Shane Williams to say farewell in Hong Kong

The Welsh wizard, Shane Williams, will make Hong Kong the venue for his final playing appearance when he turns out for the star-studded BGC APBs in the Chartis Cup next month. The brilliant winger will be joined by his former Wales and Lions teammate Martyn Williams and ex-New Zealand flyer Rico Gear in a squad that already contains five former All Blacks – including 100-cap fullback Mils Muliaina – and a host of other Rugby World Cup stars. The BGC APBs will take on reigning English Premiership champions Saracens – making their first ever visit to the Far East – in the Chartis Cup at Hong Kong Stadium on 9 June (kick off time, 18:00). “To have household names like Shane Williams, Martyn Williams and Rico Gear so heavily involved speaks volumes for the appeal of the BGC APBs and the lure of the Chartis Cup,” said Les Mouat, Chairman and Head of Distribution, Chartis Insurance Asia Pacific. “Not only will these vastly experience former internationals be guiding and inspiring the BGC APBs, they will be highly visible during Chartis Cup week, coaching youngsters, meeting fans and showcasing APBs rugby to the watching world.” Shane Williams scored a record 58 tries for Wales in a glittering 11-year international career before retiring from test rugby last December. He is playing his final season for Welsh side Ospreys and will retire from all rugby this summer, with the Chartis Cup marking his final game as a professional player. Martyn Williams will play for the BGC APBs shortly after winning his 100th cap for Wales in their match against the Barbarians in Cardiff on 2 June. Gear, meanwhile, scored 11 tries in 19 tests for the All Blacks from 2004-07. Two other Wales-based players have also been confirmed for the BGC APBs – Llanelli Scarlets prop Deacon Manu captained Fiji at last year’s RWC while Ospreys scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i played for Samoa in the world showpiece. Apart from Muliaina, ex-All Blacks Sitiveni Sivivatu, Jerry Collins, Troy Flavell and Neemia Tialata are in the squad together with flying Fijian Sireli Bobo and Samoan brothers Alesana and Henry Tuilagi. The BGC APBs will return to Hong Kong for the high-profile fixture having already made a major impact in the territory with their Cup triumph at the recent GFI HKFC Tens. BGC have also confirmed they are extending their sponsorship of the team to include the Chartis Cup fixture. “Having been closely associated with the team in last year’s inaugural Chartis Cup and then the hugely successful Tens campaign, we are delighted to continue our support for this exciting and appealing rugby team,” said Len Harvey, Executive Managing Director and General Manager, Asia Pacific, BGC Partners. Saracens, meanwhile, will continue the defence of their English Premiership crown this Saturday when they take on Leicester Tigers in the playoff semi-finals. The Chartis Cup showdown will be the centrepiece of a day-long rugby festival that will feature mini and veterans tournaments and a Rugby Village next to Hong Kong Stadium where fans can watch the day’s international matches live on big screens later in the evening.