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Japan Rugby League One

Wales full-back Liam Williams has named his new club

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images)

Liam Williams will swap the URC in Wales for an adventure in Japan after he confirmed on Wednesday that he will play for Kubota Spears next season. The 32-year-old’s decision to join the Chiba-based club that last month won its first Japan League One title came on the back of months of financial rancour in the Welsh game.

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Having played just five times during his injury-hit one-season stay at Cardiff, Williams will now head to Japan having last played his club rugby outside Wales at Saracens from 2017 to 2019.

Pictured in a Spears’ jersey, he wrote on Twitter: “I’m delighted to announce that I have signed with Kubota Spears for next season. Kon’nichiwa, Orange Army!

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“I have fond memories of playing in Japan during the 2019 World Cup and will never forget how welcoming everyone was. I am looking forward to experiencing a new way of life with my wife Sophie and we are excited about the opportunity.

“I have made some incredible memories in Welsh rugby over the years and must thank the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Rugby for their understanding in what has been a challenging few months. I will be doing everything possible to be selected for the World Cup campaign with Wales and am excited about the opportunity to be involved.”

On their club website, the Spears said: “We are pleased to announce that Liam Williams has been selected as a new player for the 2023/24 season of Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay.”

Williams, the two-tour British and Irish Lions pick, started three times in the recent Guinness Six Nations for Wales and was named by Warren Gatland in the squad of 54 on May 1 for Rugby World Cup training.

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Ardy 2 hours ago
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JD Kiwi 3 hours ago
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Tom 6 hours ago
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Bull Shark 7 hours ago
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Tom 8 hours ago
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RW 9 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 9 hours ago
Melvyn Jaminet handed huge suspension and fine by France

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Rob 10 hours ago
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Good

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Bull Shark 11 hours ago
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DG 13 hours ago
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I’m surprised that Craig Wright isn’t getting a mention. His performances, throughout the World Champs were consistently great and his stats must be up there. He very active in the open and appeared to do a great job in the scrum, but I’m no expert!

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RugbyAnalysis 13 hours ago
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Thanks Nella, a very interesting approach to the problems of front rows and the scrum in particular. I work as a data analyst for a club that is strongly based on a vertical style of play, and I have rediscovered the technical vitality of front row play and the radical importance of set pieces. The game is populated by hundreds of details that we do not perceive and that make the potential difference between winning and losing. In Argentina we call 'Mañas' these differential capacities that inhabit this type of player (´Tricks´ in English...?).

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Turlough 13 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

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MO 13 hours ago
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SA deserved the win, ABs were error prone and I believe a little complacent. I am assuming a Fiji vs France final, unless the Boks can destoy Dupont’s dream again.

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WR 13 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

35 Go to comments
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WR 14 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

23 Go to comments
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Mzilikazi 14 hours ago
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Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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StephenE 14 hours ago
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Bull Shark 14 hours ago
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I see shifting from 7s to 15s as a pretty logical and good developmental step for good rugby players. But going 15s to 7s makes little sense for most. Which is why I agree AdP is a freak. Which is why France will win the gold and smash everyone as the rightful no.1 favourites!

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Bull Shark 14 hours ago
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Let the disparagement and abuse BEGIN! Pity Ireland can’t lose without (some fools) feeling sorry for themselves. Attitude determines your altitude.

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WR 14 hours ago
South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

My comment disappeared

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