Wales And Lions Star Still Hunting For A New Club

Liam Williams has faced galore daunting tasks during a sparkling profession but is presently getting to grips pinch a caller situation – being unemployed.

Despite 98 Test appearances - including 5 for nan British & Irish Lions - 2 Six Nations titles pinch Wales arsenic good arsenic European and home titles pinch Saracens and Scarlets, nan full-back is without a occupation arsenic nan caller play looms.

The 34-year-old ended past play connected a short-term statement pinch Saracens and past period had a spell training pinch his erstwhile nine Cardiff.

But he is now moving alone, pinch immoderate assistance from nan Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) aesculapian team, astatine nan nationalist squad guidelines successful nan Vale of Glamorgan.

In a week successful which 38-year-old erstwhile Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy insisted "age is conscionable a number" having joined Serie A nine Cremonese, Williams insists he besides has plentifulness to offer.

"I've still sewage rather a spot near and I'd for illustration to get backmost connected nan equine for different twelvemonth aliases 2 truthful I tin extremity my profession connected a high," said Williams, a Six Nations starter successful January.

"I've ne'er been without a occupation earlier and it's really starting to deed location now that games are starting up. I conscionable want to play.

"I americium moving difficult successful training each time but it's not nan aforesaid connected your own, I miss being portion of a squad."

Williams had room successful February connected a knee wounded suffered for Wales successful Paris and insists is now fresh to play whenever needed but uncertainty is taking its toll.

His first thought was successful Wales - having antecedently represented some Scarlets and Cardiff - but has grounded to unafraid a statement pinch nan threat of closure hanging complete each 4 regions amid nan WRU's planned shake-up.

"Honestly, past week I was struggling mentally because I had been successful pinch Cardiff and loved each second," said Williams.

"Then that abruptly stopped because my security ran retired and I was backmost astatine nan Vale pinch thing connected nan table.

"None of nan regions were peculiarly keen and I was conscionable for illustration 'why americium I doing each this training erstwhile location is nary extremity successful sight?'

"I was struggling but conversations pinch my agent, my woman and my mum and dada really helped."

Injury to others could unfastened an opportunity for Williams during nan play but nan United Rugby Championship (URC) and Prem Rugby footwear disconnected astatine nan extremity of nan period and he remains unattached.

"I've won 93 caps for Wales and I would emotion to springiness thing backmost to 1 of nan regions," said Williams, who made his elder debut pinch Scarlets 14 years agone this week.

"It's not astir nan money astatine this shape of my career, I conscionable want to play. It's thing to do pinch really overmuch I earn.

"I'd emotion to stock my acquisition pinch younger guys and I'm looking to do a spot of coaching aft playing.

"I said to Cardiff astir that and they said they person nary spot for me, moreover though I'm really cheap."

There has been liking from clubs successful France's 2nd tier Pro D2 which could unit Williams - who had a spell successful Japan - to recreation erstwhile more.

The uncertainty complete his early puts his hopes of reaching nan milestone of a period of Test appearances agonisingly retired of scope astatine conscionable 2 short.

"I fearfulness that nan world vessel has sailed," said Williams, who besides played successful a World Cup semi-final having made his debut successful 2012.

"I've not called clip connected that but it would beryllium intolerable without a club.

"If I commencement playing regularly and location are immoderate injuries successful nan backmost 3 past Steve [Tandy, caput coach] whitethorn springiness maine a call."

Williams worked pinch Tandy connected nan Lions' circuit to South Africa successful 2021 and believes he tin thief move astir Wales, who ended an 18-match losing streak successful nan summer.

"Steve's characteristic is simply a bully fresh for Wales, he's very passionate, productive and positive," said Williams.

"Wales is successful a sticky spot but we person a young squad and hopefully nan guys tin thrive complete nan adjacent mates of years."

Williams hopes he tin still play a portion successful that betterment earlier hanging up his boots.