Cardiff sign Wales full-back Liam Williams from Scarlets
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 20: Liam Williams of Wales looks on during the Guinness Six Nations match between France and Wales at Stade de France on March 20, 2021 in Paris, France. Sporting stadiums around France remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Wales full-back Liam Williams is the latest big name to join Cardiff for the start of the 2022-23 season after announcing he will be leaving the Scarlets at the end of the season.
The former Saracens star re-joined the Scarlets in 2020, having previously come through the Llanelli academy and represented Scarlets from 2011-2017.
Cardiff have already signed Wales back-row duo Taulupe Faletau and Thomas Young from Bath and Wasps in time for the 2022-23 campaign.
Williams told the club website: “I’m excited to link up with Cardiff in the summer but remain grateful to the Scarlets, who have given me so many opportunities
“I’m fully committed to them for the rest of the season.”
Williams to date has made 115 appearances for Scarlets, scoring 166 points, while at Saracens he scored 21 tries in 31 appearances and played an essential role in the club’s 2018-19 Premiership and European titles.
His second stint in Llanelli has been frustrated by injuries, his duties with Wales, Covid-19 and a suspension after his sending-off against Cardiff in January 2021.
The full-back has enjoyed a prestigious career internationally, attaining 73 caps for Wales and scoring 85 points.
He has played at the last two World Cups and has won a Six Nations title and a Grand Slam.
Due to his excellent performances in the Welsh jersey, he was a key figure in the British and Irish Lions tours to New Zealand and South Africa.
Cardiff are yet to reveal the length of the contract. He said: “Cardiff have impressed me recently and it feels like they are building something special.
“I have a lot of good friends there from the Wales squad and they cannot talk highly enough of the environment and [director of rugby] Dai Young has convinced me that Cardiff is the best place for me to further my career.
“They have an enormous amount of talent in the squad, complemented by some exciting young players, and the competition for places will be fierce but I am looking forward to playing my part and am excited to see what we can achieve.”
Williams will be a like for like replacement for Hallan Amos, who is retiring at the end of the season.
Written by Ben Jaycock
