Liam Williams, one of Wales greatest full backs, has announced he is hanging up his boots.
The 34-year-old won 93 caps for Wales as a wing and full back and played in five Test for the British & Irish Lions on two tours. He started all five games in Wales 2019 Grand Slam season and in three of the matches in 2021 when they won the Six Nations title.
His decision to retire comes after a frustrating time with injuries that have restricted his appearances for his latest club, the Newcastle Red Bulls.
“I’ve loved my time as a professional rugby player, during which time I’ve made so many great friends and enjoyed incredible memories,” said Williams, who made his professional debut for the Scarlets against Connacht in September 2011.
“Unfortunately, injuries have meant I have not been able to contribute on the field as much as I would have liked during my time in Newcastle, but I would like to thank the club and our supporters for making my family and I feel so welcome during our time in the North-East.
“It’s a great club with a really exciting future, and despite my own playing opportunities being limited due to injury I hope I have been able to contribute positively behind the scenes towards the continued growth of the squad.”
After making more than 100 appearances for the Scarlets – his final game saw him help the west Wales region win the then PRO12 title against Munster in Dublin – Williams moved to Saracens. During his time in north London, he helped Sarries win the Gallagher PREM and Champions Cup titles in 2018.
He left Saracens with a record of 21 tries in 31 appearances and a 90.5% win rate in the Premiership having, won 19 of 21 games played. He then returned briefly to Scarlets before moving on to Cardiff Rugby, Kubota Spears, returning for a second spell at Saracens and finally the Red Bulls.
A Wales U20 cap in 2011, his senior international career began against the Barbarians in the summer of 2012. His Six Nations debut came against Ireland in Round 2 of the 2014 championship.
He represented Wales at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and marked his 50th cap with two of his 21 test tries in a 74-24 win over Tonga in Cardiff on 17 November 2018. His last cap came against France in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations.
Williams was selected for the 2017 and 2021 Lions tours and famously slalomed his way through the All Blacks defence from his 22 to launch one of the great tries by the combined side in the first test scored by Sean O’Brien.
“Liam will rightly be regarded as one of the best players of his generation. “He has been a consistent winner at club and international level for more than a decade,” said the Newcastle Red Bulls Sporting general manager, Neil McIlroy.
“Despite injuries limiting his playing opportunities during his time in Newcastle he has been a model professional in supporting and developing the players around him.
“He has been part of the first wave of Newcastle Red Bulls players, who will always be welcome here, and will hopefully remain strong ambassadors for our club and its ambitions.
“I have got no doubt that he still has a lot to offer the game, should he wish to remain in rugby, but first and foremost we just want to congratulate him on an outstanding career and wish him and his family all the best for whatever lies ahead.”