Fish is my kind of player - reliable and committed

I WAS gutted when I read that Dan Fish is going to miss Cardiff's Premiership semi-final clash with Newport today after breaking a bone in his wrist last week. 

- SHANE WILLIAMS

Having orchestrated a win over the Black & Ambers in the Premiership Cup final at Principality Stadium, it seemed fitting that he got the chance to hang up his boots after chasing a league and cup double.

Cut him and he would bleed Blue & Black such is his attachment to his home city club and region. One of those unsung heroes who so many teams rely on, and so many fans adore, he became one of the few players to notch more than 100 appearances for both the professional regional side and the semi-pro teams in the Welsh capital.

Good enough to win 10 caps for Wales U20, and to play for the Wales Sevens side, he forged a good career for himself. The game needs more players like Dan Fish - reliable, diligent, hard-working and thoroughly committed.

He is going to remain in the Cardiff Rugby academy system as a coach, which is exactly the right starting point for him as he transitions fully out of playing the game he so obviously loves. His influence on the Cardiff team over the past couple of seasons, and the youngsters around him, has been immense. He has coaxed and coached them on the field and guided them through some tough games. That is exactly what the players coming through the system need when they are looking to break into the regional sides more game time playing alongside seasoned pros.