Liam Williams hopes to extend his professional career
Williams is training with Cardiff Rugby(Image: (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images))
Wales star Liam Williams is training with Cardiff Rugby after his departure from Saracens.
The 34-year-old has been left without a contract since leaving the former English champions, but wants to continue his professional career. Williams has undergone pre-season training with Cardiff but WalesOnline understands he will not be signing for the Welsh club.
Instead he intends to use Cardiff’s pre-season training block to prove his fitness to any potential suitor while he recently said he still has plenty to offer.
Williams previously spend a season at Cardiff before taking a contract with wealthy Japanese outfit Kubota Spears while he has also represented the Scarlets and Saracens. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
While it is highly unlikely Cardiff will offer Williams a contract, his wealth of experience could prove invaluable to the likes of Cameron Winnett, Jacob Beetham and Tom Bowen, among others, during pre-season training.
The experienced fullback has won 93 caps for Wales and played a pivotal role on two British & Irish Lions tours.
Williams is approaching the tail end of his career but still has plenty to offer.
In his prime Williams was a devastating counter attacker who could create try scoring opportunities out of nothing while he was supreme in the air and in defence.
Despite his age, Williams has not called time on his international career and if he can find a club could be an option for new Wales head coach Steve Tandy.
Wales are beginning to build some depth in the back three with the likes of Tom Rogers, Winnett, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Adams, Ellis Mee and Keelan Giles fighting for positions. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
It could be that Tandy wants to move on from Williams, but the 34-year-old’s experience could prove valuable in a mentoring role.
Wales have just broken an 18 game losing streak but can ill-afford to entirely rule out quality players despite their age.
But Williams would arguably be more attractive to potential new clubs if he was not playing international rugby. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Williams remains a top class player who has experience of winning silverware during his time at the Scarlets (Pro 12) and Saracens (Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup).
He is one of a handful of former internationals still looking for a contract along with the likes of Cory Hill, Steff Evans and Regan Grace.