Former Wales international Rhys Williams has had to announce his retirement from rugby due to a serious knee injury.
Young describes former Blues captain as a "special performer"
A serious knee injury has forced former Wales international Rhys Williams to hang up his boots.
The former Cardiff captain won 44 caps for his country and was part of the team that clinched Wales' first Grand Slam for 27 years back in 2005.
Williams scored 100 tries in 187 appearances for the club and then the region, skippering the Blues in the 2005/06 season.
"I'm obviously massively disappointed but I hope in the future to look back on my rugby career and be proud of my achievements in the game," Williams said.
"Rugby has been a huge part of my life and has given me many wonderful opportunities and memories.
"I've been fortunate enough to see the world while playing the game I love and have met a lot of people and made many lifelong friends.
Huge honour
"To captain the Cardiff Blues during the 2005/06 season was a huge honour and I'm also proud that I've only ever played for my hometown of Cowbridge and for Cardiff and the Blues.
"I'm also very proud to have represented my country on 44 occasions.
"A new chapter in my life begins and I'm looking forward to gaining some experience in the business world."
Cardiff Blues director of rugby David Young described Williams - who scored on his debut for the club at the age of 18 - as a "special performer"
"It is always a sad day when a player is forced to hang up his boots and even sadder when one of the genuine good guys is put in that position, which Rhys most certainly is," he added.
"On the field his pace and elusive qualities were an integral part of his success and marked him out as a special performer with try-scoring abilities up there with the very best to have ever worn the shirt.
"On behalf of everyone at the Blues, I wish him every success following what has been a long, successful and distinguished playing career."
