“This was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. My time at Llandovery was thoroughly enjoyable. They are a good bunch of boys and they have great coaching and backroom staff.
“I’m gutted to leave. I’d like to thank everyone at the club for helping me enjoy the last two seasons so much,” he added.
Williams made 58 appearances for the Drovers and scored 15 tries. He was player of the year in 2008-09. He came to Llandovery after working closely with ex-head coach Rob Appleyard with the Wales Under 20s. Williams played regularly for the Wales U20s Welsh who got to the semi final of the World Cup.
New head coach Lyndon Lewis said of Williams, “He has had two outstanding seasons with the Drovers. In my opinion he has been the best 12 in the premier division for the last two years. He now has the opportunity to train full time and play professional rugby. He has been a pleasure to work with and has often been a catalyst for many top team performances in both defence and attack. We wish him well for his time in France and his future as a professional rugby player.”
Williams is currently enjoying pre-season in France and looking forward to testing himself in professional rugby.
Club Chairman Handel Davies spoke, added: “During his spell at the Drovers Rhys has proved to be one of our most consistent performers and must be unlucky not to have been offered a place in the Scarlets squad. Rhys was a crowd favourite at Church Bank and filling his boots will be a hard act to follow. He goes to France on a full time contract with our blessing and everyone at the club wishes him well in developing his rugby career.”
