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A year since opening Pepe’s Piri Piri on Cardiff Road, Wales’ all-time leading try scorer Shane Williams has launched a takeaway pizza shop in Caerphilly.

The ex-winger was on hand to help officially open Fireaway Pizza on Thursday September 29, alongside business partner and Brinsons Estate agent managing director, Trevor Isaac.

The pizza franchise has 140 stores across the UK, including one in Ystrad Mynach. It will be run by the same staff who take care of the chicken shop next door.

Asked how his fast food empire in Caerphilly is going, Mr Williams joked: “It’s been unexpected to say the least.

“The property game is what I’ve been enjoying and after the success of Pepe’s we saw this opportunity come along and thought it was a great chance to build a unique pizza oven in Caerphilly so we took a punt.

“I’d not seen the place for a few months and it’s incredible to see the transformation. It’s looking great.

“I have no doubt it’ll be as successful as the shop next door for the public and us as investors.”

Fireaway, which was formerly home to candle shop Bwthyn, will charge just £5 for its signature pizzas on its opening day (today), and will open from 11am until 11pm everyday.

Asked if he’d tried the pizza there, the retired Welsh international said: “I’m going to try one today. I’ve heard big things so to be involved with this franchise is amazing.

“I’ve certainly had a lot of chicken lately so it’s pizza time. I am a pizza fan so I’m looking forward to it.”

Deputy council mayor Dawn Ingram-Jones was at the store to cut the ribbon alongside Mr Williams and Mr Isaac, and thanked everyone for their attendance before officially declaring the business open.

Finally, asked about what the future might hold for Mr Williams, he indicated how he and Mr Isaac could be opening something else at some point with work “in the pipeline”.