Wales full-back Liam Williams has announced his retirement from professional rugby, bringing an end to a decorated career spanning more than a decade at the top level.
The 34-year-old won 93 caps for Wales across the wing and full-back positions and featured in five Tests for the British & Irish Lions across two tours. He played a key role in some of Wales’ most successful recent campaigns, starting all five matches during the 2019 Grand Slam-winning season and three games in the 2021 Six Nations triumph.
Williams’ decision comes after a frustrating period with injuries, which have limited his appearances for his most recent club, 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, Williams signed for Saracens, where he enjoyed major success, helping the club win both the Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup titles in 2018. He left the north London side with 21 tries in 31 appearances and an impressive 90.5% win rate in the Premiership, having won 19 of his 21 games.
He later had spells with the Scarlets, Cardiff Rugby, Kubota Spears, a second stint at Saracens, and finally Newcastle Red Bulls.
Williams first represented Wales at U20 level in 2011, before making his senior debut against the Barbarians in 2012. His Six Nations debut followed in 2014 against Ireland.
He went on to represent Wales at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups and marked his 50th cap in style, scoring two of his 21 international tries in a 74-24 victory over Tonga in Cardiff in November 2018. His final appearance for Wales came against France in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations.
Williams was also selected for the British & Irish Lions tours in 2017 and 2021, producing one of the most memorable moments in recent Lions history when he broke from deep inside his own half against New Zealand to set up a famous try for Sean O’Brien in the first Test.
Paying tribute, Newcastle Red Bulls sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said: “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.
“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.”
