Everybody at the Ospreys would like to congratulate Shane Williams on being named 2008 IRB World Player of the Year 2008 last night.
Williams became the first Welshman to win the honour, beating off stiff competition from his Ospreys teammate Ryan Jones, as well as New Zealand's Dan Carter, Mike Blair of Scotland and Italy's Sergio Parisse. Speaking after collecting his award from previous winner, South Africa's Bryan Habana, Shane said: "It's been a hell of year and this has just capped it off really. It's the biggest honour you can get as an individual in rugby and it's totally overwhelming. Just being nominated was humbling. And to receive the award from Bryan Habana, who is one of the best - if not the best - wing in the world means so much to me. I was more nervous up there on stage than I was facing the All Blacks on Saturday."Ospreys coach Sean Holley led the tributes, saying: "Shane is a deserved winner. He has been consistently excellent and we at the Liberty Stadium are proud to have him as our player."