Shane Williams is one of the most decorated Welsh rugby players of all time, having made 87 appearances for his home country. He’s the current record try scorer for Wales with 57 tries during his career and also holds four caps for the British and Irish Lions.
Williams retired from professional rugby in 2014 and was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to rugby. Today, he works as a professional broadcaster and commentator. The PA news agency has chatted to him about his car history, his current four-wheeled choices and dream vehicles.
What was your first car?
I had a Ford Escort Mark II – it cost me 50 quid. The back left door wouldn’t close properly unless I locked it, so it stayed locked. Yeah, it wasn’t the best of cars, to be honest, but I didn’t have much money back then. It was orange as well, which didn’t help. I bet it’d be worth a few quid if I still had it.
What do you currently drive?
I’m in an Isuzu D-Max pick-up, which is ideal for me. I live on a small holding, so my daughter rides ponies and we’re on 11 acres of land, so I’m constantly picking up hay, and putting a horse box on the back. It’s the perfect car.
I’ve had some other cars in the past, including a two-seater Jaguar XKR and I even had a Porsche Carrera 4S at one point. Lovely cars – don’t get me wrong – but I’m happy now with this car which has five seats and a back that I can put whatever I want in. The D-Max does me just fine.
What would your dream car be?
As a kid, I always wanted a Porsche. I didn’t know which Porsche. I remember watching films and that was my dream car when I was young.
I think when I retire and this midlife crisis really sets in I wouldn’t mind an Aston Martin, maybe to go alongside my D-Max where I can get the roof down. I’m still at the point where I need something where I can chuck things in the back and not worry too much about but yeah, I think an Aston Martin’s always been my dream car.
What do you listen to when you’re in the car?
I do listen to rugby podcasts – the Good, the Bad and the Rugby, the BBC Scrum 5 podcast – anything with a bit of rugby. I find it really interesting listening to players I’ve played alongside. You know, Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode have got a great podcast and Mike Tindall – I’m always interested in what he’s got to say.
I’m an old-school nineties boy as well, so I do enjoy my Erasure and Ebeneezer Goode. Yeah I’m a 90s guy but whatever’s on at the time. I love my music and especially love being int he car on my own because I can sing and then no one can hear me – and I sound fantastic!
What annoys you most about other drivers?
You know, selfish drivers and drivers that don’t let you out when it’s a little bit tight. People in a rush – when they probably need to get to their destination about 10 seconds quicker – that’s annoying. Then there’s people who get really angry driving when they don’t need to. I’m thinking ‘look mate, you know, by flashing the lights and screaming at me it isn’t going to get you to your destination any quicker’. Those are the kinds of drivers that get on my nerves – I hope I’m not one of them!
Did you pass your driving test first time?
No, I didn’t, I failed the first time. I think I had a couple of faults, but one was when I parked and left my indicator on for too long. Then I went to pull away with my indicator still on. I do remember it because I was devastated as I’d actually driven really well. And I thought that would be a minor point but at the time, my examiner said it was a fail. I did my test in Ammanford which is my local town and that was great because I knew all the roads. I thought I’d done really well.
I reapplied immediately because I thought that I was good enough to pass and luckily enough I did the second time.
Do you consider yourself a good driver?
Touch wood – I don’t want to jinx myself – I’ve done okay. I’m pretty level-headed and I’m quite patient in the way I drive. But I’d like to think I can drive. I was lucky that when I passed my test I was able to drive a larger vehicle – the vans and bigger ones – so I’ve been doing that for years as well. So I’d like to think I’m pretty good.
Do you wash your own car?
I have washed my car several times but I do sometimes find it easier to take it to the car wash. The Isuzu is a big truck and sometimes it can get messy especially when we go off-road. But yes, I have washed my own car and I’ve also paid my kids to wash the car as well when they want a little bit of pocket money. I do bribe them by making them wash the car!
What would be your dream road trip?
I’ve been lucky. I’ve done the Coromandel Bay in New Zealand which is beautiful and travelled to San Francisco in California, which would have been a lovely drive but I did that cycling. Maybe that’s something I’d like to do in a convertible one day.
I remember years ago my father wanted to do Route 66 on a motorbike but unfortunately, he had a stroke in 2017, so he was unable to do that. So maybe jump in a convertible and do Route 66 and it would be nice to take the old man with me.
