Rewind to February 2024, and Liam Williams would usually be preparing for a new Six Nations campaign for Wales.

Except this time around, he was on the other side of the world.

For the first time since 2014, Williams was not involved in the tournament due to his commitment to his new club side: Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay in the Japanese Rugby League One.

“That was odd,” Williams says of watching the matches from his sofa for once.

“I knew that was going to be the case when I left Wales to go to Japan, but it was a bit strange trying to watch it with the massive time differences.

“One of the games, I had to go to bed. It was too late for me. If Warren and the boys are reading this, I did watch the highlights!”

Following his return to Wales in 2019, after a spell at Saracens in the English Premiership, Williams struggled with injury at club level.

Scarlets and Cardiff Rugby fans will be familiar with the all-too-infrequent glimpses of his quality in those years.

Japanese Odyssey

Following a couple of injury-free years, that included a second British and Irish Lions tour and the 2023 World Cup, Williams signed for the Spears in autumn 2023.

“The move came out of the blue,” Williams reveals.

“My agent got in touch after I mentioned during the 2019 Rugby World Cup [held in Japan] how much I enjoyed the Japanese lifestyle and culture.

“We had two games where I am now in Tokyo during the World Cup. It was so busy; people were really friendly. It left an impression.”

Williams, though, admits that getting to grips with a new language has its drawbacks.

“Trying to get to the supermarket and reading the Japanese takes me a good hour and a half,” Williams says.

“I guess that’s why we have Google Translate!

“Cory Hill [who has played for Yokohama Canon Eagles and Secom Rugguts] is actually very good. I’m able to greet people and get by, but I can’t hold a conversation yet.

“I started learning while I was at the World Cup in France. During some down time, I’d listen to an audiobook.”

A Period of Adjustment

The language and culture are not the only things that Williams has had to contend with.

The Japanese league runs from December to May, mostly in the springtime, and the rugby is played in a quicker style than in Europe.

“It’s a bit faster because the players are not as big,” Williams says.

“Training is a lot harder as well. We’ve had sessions where we’d be running 10km, on our feet for long periods of time.

“The Japanese way is to work super hard. Everyone comes into training with smiles on their faces and that’s what makes it so easy.”

Friends Old and New

Williams is not the only overseas talent to make the move to Japan in recent years.

A number of South African and New Zealand stars headline their respective teams, while Australian half-back duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper combine at Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.

At Kubota Spears, Williams is joined by Dane Coles and Bernard Foley, while two-time World Cup winner Malcolm Marx is joining ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The mini community of foreign players based in Tokyo has helped Williams settle into a new life.

“We all live quite close to each other,” Williams says.

“I’ve played against both Dane and Bernard a couple of times. Once I got to know Dane, I just thought ‘what a fantastic bloke’, proper old school.

“We got on like a house on fire. I’ve spent quite a lot of time with him outside of rugby, going for breakfast and stuff with his boys.

“Bernard is another great bloke, would do anything for you. He was a massive help when we were moving into our apartment.

“After every Tuesday session, we’ll all go for food. Bernard and I even went skiing and snowmobiling up in Niseko.”

‘It’s Just in my DNA that I’ll always want to win’

It certainly feels like Williams is taking the chance to enjoy himself outside of the Welsh rugby bubble, unencumbered by the inevitable pressure that comes from the fans and media.

Difficulty on and off the pitch for the national and regional teams have taken its toll on many within Welsh rugby over the last few years.

Williams maintains that his winning drive is still going strong.

“It’s just in my DNA that I’ll always want to win,” Williams says.

“There is a lot less pressure being outside of Wales but, in terms of my rugby, every game I am doing my absolute best to win.”

Following a period out of the Wales team, Williams added to his 92-cap tally over the summer after being recalled for the tour of Australia.

After a period of massive change, following the World Cup, Williams came back into a much younger dressing room than the one he left.

“It does make me feel very old!” Williams admits.

“Speaking to a couple of the boys and they’re telling me they were born in the 2000s.

“Being one of the oldest in the squad now, it was nice to work with the younger lads on a couple of extra bits, going through moves and training clips.

“I definitely embraced the older mentor part of it during the summer.”

Coaching Potential

Williams is 33 years old now and has thought about his life after playing, and coaching does appear to suit him.

“A few of us in the squad started our coaching badges, but then Covid hit, and it all got delayed,” Williams says.

“I’d like to be a skills coach. Maybe something similar to what Neil Jenkins does with us now, looking closely at restarts and stuff like that. More of an analytical role than a backs or attack coach.”

Williams started all three of the summer test matches, alternating between the right wing and his preferred fullback position, partly due to injuries and the emergence of Cam Winnett in the 15 jersey.

“I was at Cardiff two years ago, when Cam was in the academy,” Williams remembers.

“I always knew he was going to be a decent player. When I came through into the Wales side, I had one of the best in the world in Leigh [Halfpenny] ahead of me and we pushed each other.

“I hope I can do that with Cam while I’m still going at international level.”

Williams has only eight appearances left to reach the milestone of 100 caps for Wales, an achievement only nine others have reached.

Just don’t talk to him about the likes of Mike Phillips, Adam Jones, and Jonathan Davies, who all finished their Wales careers with appearances in the mid-90s.

“Please don’t mention that! You’ll jinx it,” Williams exclaims.

“It’s amazing just to get one international cap for Wales. I spoke to Warren Gatland before the summer tour about his plans and he wants me to be around for the foreseeable.

“He even talked about taking me to the next Rugby World Cup. That and the Lions tour next year are definitely still in my plans.”

Dad-to-be

Williams short-term plans, though, are currently filled with something completely different to rugby. Liam’s wife, Sophie, is pregnant with their first child.

“I’m excited more than anything,” Williams says.

“My wife is 31 weeks now, so the baby will arrive in the autumn. Right now, we’re just trying to get everything ready, getting the baby’s room done.

“The whole house is being done up; all the upstairs has been carpeted, walk-in wardrobes, we’re spending a bloody fortune!

“My brother and sister have a couple of kids each, so I’m used to cleaning bums and changing nappies. Sophie doesn’t like poo, so I guess I’m the one for changing nappies!”

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