While several Welsh teams are facing significant financial difficulties, full-back Liam Williams might leave Cardiff before the end of his contract. According to the British media, Lyon would be on the lookout but Japanese formations would also be in the ranks.
After England to some extent, should Wales prepare for an exodus? After the disappearance of the Wasps and the Worcester Warriors, a good number of players found refuge in the formations of the Top 14 like Jack Willis in Toulouse, his brother Tom Willis in Bordeaux-Bègles, who also welcomed Gabriel Oghre and Renato Giammarioli. Arrivals to which will be added this summer those of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds or Harry Williams.
However, an influx of players from Wales might also take place in the coming months. Indeed, several teams are going through economic turbulence and one of the solutions to regain stability would be the departure of players with the highest emoluments. According to information from the BBCCardiff would be ready to use such an end concerning Welsh international back Liam Williams, holder in the first two games of Leek’s XV in the 6 Nations Tournament before giving way to Leigh Halfpenny once morest England due to the two yellow cards received previously.
ICYMI: Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back Liam Williams is considering leaving Cardiff for possible options in Japan or France ????
Wales and Lions wing Josh Adams has also been linked with leaving Cardiff ????#BBCRugby
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 2, 2023
Japan in the fight with Lyon for L.Williams?
Arrived this summer in the Welsh capital from the Scarlets, the 31-year-old player signed for two seasons but the leaders of the formation having long borne the nickname of “Blues” have already started discussions aimed at releasing next summer Liam Williams. A scenario that might be repeated concerning another Welsh international playing in Cardiff, Josh Adams, who is one of the highest paid players in the workforce.
An opportunity on which the leaders of Lyon would be tempted to jump in order to strengthen their group. However, while Cardiff officials have assured their supporters that they are doing everything they can to ‘unfreeze’ funds in order to build a strong squad for the past season, the exodus seems hard to avoid.
For the LOU, attracting Liam Williams might prove more complicated than expected since Japanese teams would also be in the running to attract him in the event of his departure from Wales. The Rhone leaders are thus tempted to imitate Racing 92, which has already sought the second line of the Dragons Will Rowlands for next season.
