‘I haven’t said I am retiring any time soon’ – Wales star refuses to shut door on Test career

Wales star Liam Williams has refused to draw a line under his international career next year, despite being unavailable for his country in the Six Nations.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s World Cup warm-up fixture with South Africa, the 32-year-old is not ready to hang up his Test boots after the tournament.

That will be music to the ears of Welsh supporters after seeing Williams put in a masterclass in full-back play against England last Saturday at Twickenham.

Moves to Japan after World Cup

His showing is likely to earn him a spot in Warren Gatland‘s 33-man squad for the World Cup, but after the tournament he heads to Kubota Spears in Japan.

Due to the domestic competition in Japan running from December until May, that stint rules Williams out of the Six Nations but he stressed he is not retiring.

“I haven’t said I am retiring any time soon,” Williams said ahead of this week’s clash with world champions South Africa at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

“I will be in Japan for two years and we will see where that takes us and whether I am still available or not.

“I will speak to ‘Gats’ probably after the World Cup and towards the end of the season out there (in Japan).

“If they (Wales) want to take me to Australia for the summer tour next year, I will be available for that, but that is up to them.”

Williams’ classy performance against England was out of the top drawer as he starred for Wales, admitting that he wanted to “have a bit of fun” in the jersey.

“I said to myself that I haven’t played since March so I am going to go out and have a decent game and have a bit of fun,” said the British & Irish Lions back.

“I was just happy to stick that shirt on again. It has been a little while.

“You can’t really replicate the game intensity when you are training. You can go as hard as you want, but you can’t get the intensity of a game – especially with the rucks and amount of contact you take.

A word for Liam Williams. An absolute class act at full-back today.

— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) August 12, 2023

“I felt pretty good in the game. I was just glad to last 80 minutes.

“I am getting on a bit now, I am 32, and I’m just trying to enjoy my last couple of years.

Playing with a smile on his face

“It is about going out there with a smile on my face, play hard, try to win and, most importantly, I am playing for my country.”

Along with Williams, there have also been impressive performances from young backline talents such as Tom Rogers, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Joe Roberts and Sam Costelow over recent weeks, with the veteran player enthused by what he’s seen.

“I think it will be great for Wales for years to come,” he said. “These young boys coming through is great – we definitely needed that.

“Sam Costelow has been great, as has Max (Llewellyn). Mason is like a freak of nature, there’s ‘Tommy Rog’ and I thought Joe Roberts was class on the weekend.”

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