Wales star Liam Williams in talks over a transfer back home one year after his move to Japan… as Dragons pursue deal for 33-year-old
Wales star Liam Williams is in talks over a transfer back to his homeland from Japan with the Dragons working on a deal to sign the two-time British & Irish Lion.
The 33-year-old is currently contracted to Kuboto Spears having left Cardiff for a move to the Far East at the conclusion of last year’s World Cup in France.
Williams’ Kuboto switch meant he missed the 2024 Six Nations, but he returned to the international fold for Warren Gatland’s Wales side in their July matches with Australia.
Last season, Williams spent long periods travelling back and forth between his home in Wales and Japan to feature for Kuboto.
Mail Sport understands that while he has enjoyed his time in Japan Rugby League One, Williams has been keen on a return home, especially given he is expecting his first child with wife Sophie with whom he has had to spend significant time apart in the last 12 months.
Wales star Liam Williams (above) is in talks over a transfer back to his homeland from Japan
The Dragons, coached by Dai Flanagan, have moved to explore a deal for the player.
While a deal has not yet been officially concluded, it is understood that positive discussions have been held in the last week and that Williams is likely to sign.
Williams and Flanagan have worked together previously at the Scarlets and with the senior Wales national side so know each other well.
The Dragons will be the third of Wales’ four professional sides Williams has played for.
He started his career with the Scarlets, before joining English giants Saracens – where he won Premiership and European titles – and then Cardiff.
Williams is in the last few years of his career, but a move to the Dragons would be a big boost for them as well as Wales head coach Gatland given the player’s experience and undoubted quality. He has 92 caps for Wales, has played at three World Cups, and won Test caps for the Lions both in New Zealand in 2017 and four years later against South Africa.
The prospect of joining Wales’ distinguished 100-cap club is sure to be on Williams’ mind as a potential target in the next year or so.
The Dragons are working on a deal to sign the 33-year-old, who joined Kuboto Spears in 2023
Last week, the Welsh Rugby Union used Williams as a central figure in their kit launches for the 2024-25 season, suggesting the player is likely to be an important presence for Gatland moving forwards. Wales and Gatland have endured a difficult last 12 months.
After the retirement of a host of Williams’ long-term colleagues, the team has dropped to 11th in World Rugby’s rankings ahead of autumn fixtures with Fiji, Australia and South Africa.
From the perspective of the Dragons, they will hope Williams’ international knowhow can help drive them up the United Rugby Championship table when the new campaign begins this month.
Williams is unlikely to be the only new arrival at the Dragons, with Flanagan also close to bringing in an Argentina Under-20 prop to add to his resources.
