Wales star Liam Williams opens up on his return to Welsh Rugby, being one of the senior figures and his "never say never" mentality
01/28/2025 01:15 PM
It's been a hectic couple of months for Liam Williams after a stint at the Kuboto Spears in Japan, the 33-year-old returned to the UK for family reasons. He sealed the move back from the far east for his second stint at the Gallagher Premiership side Saracens, a club that he has won silverware with on several occasions.
Williams made his Wales debut back in 2012 against the Barbarians and since then has picked up 92 Caps. With his last outings in the Welsh jersey being back in the Summer at Twickenham against South Africa and also played down under in Australia.
The fullback has been on two tours with the British and Irish Lions and stated in Monday afternoon's media huddle "never say never", when asked about making it a third successive tour.
The return of Williams is a very happy return for Welsh supporters and with him being one of the more senior figures as scrum consultant, Adam Jones said "are getting on a bit", this should add some excitement to this bruised Welsh side.
Does his experience add something to Wales?
On being one of the senior members of Warren Gatland's 34-man squad, Williams said: "For sure, I think it's a role I like to do, I've been doing the same when I've been back at my club (Saracens), helping some of the youngsters through, especially some of the back three guys.
"It's a part of my job now.
"I'm on fines now, so I've taken a step back on the entertainment. James Botham is doing that sort of stuff and he's really good, so me and Tomos (Williams) and two of the older guys are on the fines to try and keep everybody in line," the fullback jokingly added.
"There's great energy here in camp, the boys are feeling good, training is going well. We're just excited to go out there with our backs against the wall, but we don't mind that at all. The boys are looking forward to Friday night under the lights.
"We're not sure what the squad is but if those boys do go into the fold it will be great to have those two back (Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau), Toby has been a bit unlucky with injury for the last couple of months. He's back on the training pitch and he's looking good, so it will be great to have him back and the same with Josh. He didn't come on the Summer Tour, he's fit, refreshed and ready to go.
"Never say Never"- Williams wants to be a centurion
(2027 World Cup) "That's a bit too far, my aim is to get 100 caps, and if that happens it's the icing on the cake. If it doesn't then it doesn't, it's just the way it it is.
"But thats what I'm aiming for, for me now it's about taking everygame as it comes. So hopefully I can be picked for this weekend, thats another one so we'll see.
"No, no I've been speaking to Gats (Warren Gatland), obviously Gats has been my coach for the last twelve or thirteen years
"We spoke post Australia, what the plans are for the next couple of years. I'm just happy to be here and hopefully I can add something to the team.
"Hopefully I can play on the weekend (Friday night) dependent if I'm picked, and I can add something extra to try and get the win with the boys.
His return back to Wales after a stint in the Japan Rugby League One
One of the main reasons why Williams made the decision to move back here to the UK was because him and his wife Sophie welcomed their first son, Leo. The fullback did all this whilst securing a move to StoneX based side in North London.
On his second stint at the Saracens and his life off the field, Williams added: "Things have changed, most definitely the sleep. No, it's good, things are good they moved up with me in London for two or three weeks before we came back down here, it was nice having them up there.
"Over Christmas I was going back and forth, drive up and back two or three times a week, bit of a trek but life has changed a bit but he's class and it's just an incredible feeling becoming a dad. Not much has changed if I'm being honest, they still got the same calls since five or six years ago.
"The calls are easy, a couple of the younger guys I've been helping. It's been good to go to a different environment in Japan but when I was back with Cardiff it was a totally different environment and I'm just enjoying my rugby again."
"Globetrotters"- Williams analysis of France
Wales kickoff their 2025 Six Nations on Friday evening in Paris, where they take on France who won three out of their three Autumn Internationals. With the eye catching result being against New Zealand, where Les Bleus won 30-29.
On what he expects from the Fabian Galthie's men, the 33-year-old said: "Globetrotters."
They like throwing the ball about. So, you've seen, "the French clubs in the Champions Cup have been going really well. But it's down to us to try and stop
that.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens on the weekend," Williams concluded.
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