It’s been 20 years since Wales celebrated a Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations, a stark contrast to their recent winless campaign. As fans look back at the iconic team of 2005, many are curious about where the heroes of that era are today. Let’s take a closer look at the lives of these Grand Slam champions and how they have fared in the years since that historic win.
Kevin Morgan, best known for his famous try that sealed the Grand Slam victory, has taken on various roles post-retirement. After completing a Masters degree and working with the Georgian Rugby Union, he now serves as the first-team athletic performance coach at Bristol Bears. Mark Taylor, who made a surprise appearance on the wing in 2005, now works as an accountant for his family’s car dealership in Llanelli, after a successful rugby career.
Tom Shanklin, remembered for his stellar performance in the Grand Slam match, is now a TV pundit and podcast host. Gavin Henson, the Welsh rugby superstar, has delved into reality TV and currently runs his own pub in St Brides Major. Shane Williams, who went on to achieve even greater success after 2005, now works as a pundit, presenter, and director of a fuel company in West Wales.
Stephen Jones, the fly-half maestro, has transitioned into coaching and currently coaches in Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika. Dwayne Peel, another key player in the 2005 victory, now serves as the head coach at the Scarlets. Gethin Jenkins, the legendary prop, has had a successful coaching career and currently works as the defence coach at Cardiff.
Mefin Davies, the popular hooker, has moved into coaching and currently works as an electrical engineer. Adam Jones, another Welsh rugby icon, has transitioned into coaching and currently works as a scrum consultant for the Wales national team. Brent Cockbain, who represented Australia before Wales, now works in an opencast coal mine in Queensland.
Robert Sidoli, a mainstay in the Welsh second row, transitioned into coaching and currently works as a rugby manager at Newport High School Academy. Ryan Jones, a triple Grand Slam winner, now works as a leadership and management consultant. Martyn Williams, player of the tournament in 2005, serves as the team manager for the Wales national team.
Michael Owen, the former Welsh captain, retired early due to a knee injury and now works as the director of rugby at Haileybury College in Hertfordshire. These former Grand Slam heroes have forged diverse paths post-rugby, showcasing their resilience and adaptability beyond the field. As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Wales’ Grand Slam triumph, we celebrate not just their sporting achievements but also their continued contributions to various fields post-retirement.