Williams to see out career with Blues

Martyn Williams will end his career at Cardiff Blues after signing a one-year contract extension with the Welsh region.

Williams, capped 98 times by Wales but omitted from their squad for this year’s RBS 6 Nations, was approached by several clubs, with Wasps leading the chase for his services

Wasps viewed him as a replacement for Serge Betsen, but Williams has instead opted to remain at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The 35-year-old openside, who will extend his association with the club to 13 years, insists he has no ill-feeling towards the Blues for the uncertainty over his future.

“This is where I wanted to finish and I’ve made no secret about that,” he said.

“I’m over the moon that the club have come to an agreement that I will have my last season here.

“In fairness (head coach) David Young never said that he wanted to release me and I totally understood the club’s reasons for not doing things immediately.

“It wasn’t a great couple of weeks, with the speculation and not being in the Wales squad, but I’ve tried to keep my head down and carried on playing for the region.

“I’ve been here since 1999, so I didn’t really want to go anywhere else, I wanted to finish here, so I’m glad I’ve been given that opportunity.

“I did weigh everything up, whether to go to play in England or France or completely retire from the game in June.

“However, I’m still feeling well and playing well and think I have something to offer the Blues next year.”

Young insists Williams still has plenty to offer despite nearly reaching the end of his career.

“I’ve repeatedly said that Martyn Williams wasn’t definitely leaving the club,” said Young.

“What I did say was I’d do everything within my power, with the support of (chairman) Peter Thomas, to keep Martyn here for another year, so I’m delighted that he has agreed.

“Nobody recognises more than me the value and the commitment Martyn has given to the Blues and that should be repaid from us as well.

“Hopefully Martyn will have a great season to finish off his career next year.

“He obviously looks after himself and he’s certainly not going to harm his reputation by playing for another season if he didn’t feel he had another year in him

“I think if you look at his performances recently he’s been as good as he’s been for the last two or three years.

“It makes sense for us to retain him for another year.”