Shane Williams, the former Wales and British & Irish Lions winger, visited the Lower New Inn in Pontypool on October 15, for a meet-and-greet with fans.

The visit drew a crowd of more than 60 people who gathered to meet the Glanamman-born star, who signed memorabilia, posed for photos, and chatted with supporters.

But this wasn’t just a social call – Mr Williams was there in his new role as co-founder of Fab Four Coffee, a Welsh coffee brand he launched alongside fellow ex-internationals James Hook and Lee Byrne.

The pub, located in New Inn, now serves Fab Four Coffee as part of its offering.

A spokesman for the Lower New Inn said Williams spoke about his passion for Fab Four Coffee and his work coaching and developing young rugby players. He said he was, "incredibly generous with his time".

The pub said it was already looking forward to collaborating with Shane and Fab Four Coffee again.

Fab Four Coffee began as a post-rugby venture built on the former players’ shared love of coffee, developed during their years playing together for the Ospreys, Wales, and the Lions.

Mr Williams has previously spoken about taking a hands-on approach to the business in its early days, helping with orders, postage, and brand development.

He has also said that supporting other Welsh businesses is important to the team, with its suppliers including the Welsh Coffee Company.

Mr Williams remains Wales’ all-time leading try scorer, earning 87 caps for his country and being named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008.

The event marked another milestone for the Lower New Inn, which has seen a revival in recent months under the ownership of Daniel Smart and Tiffany Messer Smart.

The couple took over the pub on Newport Road during the summer, aiming to restore its reputation as a true community venue.

Their efforts appear to be paying off.

The pub was fully booked throughout its first week of re-opening, and around 70 people attended its new £7 community lunch.

In August, the venue was awarded a five-star food hygiene rating.

The recent visit from Mr Williams was described as another unusual morning for the revived community pub, this time swapping pints for coffee and bringing together Williams' sporting past and his post-rugby business venture.

The appearance also held special meaning for those from Ammanford and the surrounding areas, as Mr Williams grew up in Glanamman and began his rugby journey at Amman United.

His visit offered both a nod to his roots and a taste of his future beyond the rugby pitch.