- Mail Sport understands that Liam Williams is eager to return to his homeland
- The 2-time British & Irish Lion is presently contracted to Kuboto Spears
Wales star Liam Williams is in talks over a switch again to his homeland from Japan with the Dragons engaged on a deal to signal the two-time British & Irish Lion.
The 33-year-old is presently contracted to Kuboto Spears having left Cardiff for a transfer to the Far East on the conclusion of final yr’s World Cup in France.
Williams’ Kuboto swap meant he missed the 2024 Six Nations, however he returned to the worldwide fold for Warren Gatland’s Wales facet of their July matches with Australia.
Final season, Williams spent lengthy intervals travelling backwards and forwards between his residence in Wales and Japan to characteristic for Kuboto.
Mail Sport understands that whereas he has loved his time in Japan Rugby League One, Williams has been eager on a return residence, particularly given he’s anticipating his first little one with spouse Sophie with whom he has needed to spend vital time aside within the final 12 months.
Wales star Liam Williams (above) is in talks over a switch again to his homeland from Japan
The Dragons, coached by Dai Flanagan, have moved to discover a deal for the participant.
Whereas a deal has not but been formally concluded, it’s understood that constructive discussions have been held within the final week and that Williams is more likely to signal.
Williams and Flanagan have labored collectively beforehand on the Scarlets and with the senior Wales nationwide facet so know one another nicely.
The Dragons would be the third of Wales’ 4 skilled sides Williams has performed for.
He began his profession with the Scarlets, earlier than becoming a member of English giants Saracens – the place he gained Premiership and European titles – after which Cardiff.
Williams is in the previous couple of years of his profession, however a transfer to the Dragons could be a giant increase for them in addition to Wales head coach Gatland given the participant’s expertise and undoubted high quality. He has 92 caps for Wales, has performed at three World Cups, and gained Take a look at caps for the Lions each in New Zealand in 2017 and 4 years later towards South Africa.
The prospect of becoming a member of Wales’ distinguished 100-cap membership is bound to be on Williams’ thoughts as a possible goal within the subsequent yr or so.
The Dragons are engaged on a deal to signal the 33-year-old, who joined Kuboto Spears in 2023
Final week, the Welsh Rugby Union used Williams as a central determine of their package launches for the 2024-25 season, suggesting the participant is more likely to be an vital presence for Gatland transferring forwards. Wales and Gatland have endured a tough final 12 months.
After the retirement of a number of Williams’ long-term colleagues, the workforce has dropped to eleventh in World Rugby’s rankings forward of autumn fixtures with Fiji, Australia and South Africa.
From the angle of the Dragons, they’ll hope Williams’ worldwide knowhow may also help drive them up the United Rugby Championship desk when the brand new marketing campaign begins this month.
Williams is unlikely to be the one new arrival on the Dragons, with Flanagan additionally near bringing in an Argentina Beneath-20 prop so as to add to his sources.