Former Wales fullback Liam Williams has discussed a future return to Warren Gatland’s squad, having confirmed his availability for this Summer. Wales go on tour to Australia this coming July, and Williams is hopeful to be amongst the selected players heading ‘down under’ for the tour.
Having left Cardiff at the end of the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship season, Williams signed for Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, out in the Japan Rugby League One. The fullback’s current contract halts his involvement in the ongoing 2024 Six Nations, due to his club commitments to the Spears. Speaking in a recent JRLO organised media event, Williams spoke on his ambitions to once again represent Wales in the near future.
“So I’m available for the summer tour to Australia. And then the autumn internationals which will be before my second year in Japan. So my hand is up for those two and just have to wait and see.”
In little over a year’s time, the British & Irish Lions will then be heading down to Australia for their fabled tour. Despite the lure of the combined side, Williams asserted how he is prioritising his club rugby and a return to Wales before any Lions commitments arise. Without naming any names, Williams discussed the likes of Freddie Steward, Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan, who would also be vying to be the first choice fullback for the Lions.
“That would be a dream. There’s two other players in my position at the moment who are playing really well, they’re playing for their country and the clubs. I would like to go but I’m just concentrating on my rugby here in Japan first and hopefully playing for Wales again.”
Turning his attention to the current Wales squad, Williams has been impressed by the young side’s goings through the 2024 Six Nations. Despite losing their first two matches of the tournament (vs Scotland and England), the Tokyo fullback liked how his side showed great resolve to battle on to the end. Williams watched on in the Principality Stadium, as Wales battled back to reduce a 27-0 deficit to just one point. Speaking on the side, Williams said;
“They picked quite young squad, I was actually at the game (against Scotland) so not a great first 40 minutes. But they can take some credit out from the second half, but they left itself too much to do, some of the young boys coming in, Dafydd Jenkins obviously, he’s the captain had a pretty good game.
“Ioan (Llyod) as well, came on at halftime for Sam Costelow, he went pretty well. So yeah, they’ve they’ve got a good mix of some oldies there, some old heads, with quite a few caps and some younger boys obviously getting the first caps.”
Williams then shared his thoughts on Rio Dyer, as the 24-year-old wing continues to steal the show in his outings for Wales and his Dragons club side.
“Yeah, he’s a really good boy. He’s quick. He’s athletic. He’s even like that when he’s when he’s on the training pitch. He’s 100 miles an hour. So yeah, he’s definitely fun to watch.”
Rounding off, Williams discussed as to why he opted for a chapter in Japan, as apposed to pursuing a move to France or the Premiership. Williams; along with his former Wales teammates Gareth Anscombe and Cory Hill, all moved over to the Far East last year following the Rugby World Cup.
Williams discussed how it was the 2019 tournament that first opened his eyes to a life in Tokyo, and how he expects more of his countrymen to follow suit in the coming years. However, the fullback did not comment on who exactly could make their way towards joining him in the Japan Rugby League One.
“I think there might be a couple of other Welshies coming over. I know a a couple of boys have been speaking about it. But the attraction was, just after 2019 World Cup, obviously we spent quite a while there, in enjoyed Japan, the people, the food. That was the main attraction.”