LIAM Williams’ move to Saracens from the Scarlets is one of this summer’s biggest transfers, and one of the big talking points is what the Lions Test fullback on the recent tour to New Zealand will add to the European champions, especially in attack.
Williams finished the tour as a success story after a very indifferent start, where he seemed overwhelmed at first, before making the improvements that earned him a place in the starting line up for the entire Test series.
Perhaps it was a bad attack of the nerves, but when Williams came on as a replacement for Jared Payne in the final half-hour of the Blues game he wasn’t at the races. He made a complete mess of the two high balls that came his way, and although he was yellow-carded for a dangerous challenge after badly mistiming the second of them, he could just as easily have been binned for the first.
It was unusual to see a player of Williams’ skill and calibre caught up in the emotion to the extent that he was. When you have the amount of ability he has, usually you do not get it so wrong, but because of the nerves and emotion that came with wearing the Lions jersey for the first time he reminded me of a golfer who had completely lost his timing.
Williams looked more settled when he played on the wing in the important victory over the Crusaders, but it really started to click when he showed his counter-attacking flair from full-back in the big midweek win over the Chiefs before the first Test. By the time he had set up a try for Jack Nowell with an electric break the idea had begun to crystallise in Warren Gatland’s mind that he could be capable of turning the tables on the All Blacks with his running from deep.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Outside centre best for Freeman - Burrell
FORMER England centre Luther Burrell believes Tommy Freeman is best suited at outside centre and has the attributes to become one of the best players in the world.
McGann calling all shots for Raiders
GUERNSEY Raiders took the honours against hosts Havant in their first meeting in the league.
We're Jamin! Hodgkins puts boot in to rivals
LUCTONIANS' first home game of the season saw them put away a useful Clifton side comfortably.
Rams finally end their Sale hoodoo with rout
RAMS produced one of their best performances of recent times to overcome Sale in resounding fashion on a sensational afternoon at Old Bath Road.
Wallabies push All Blacks to the limit in thriller
NEW Zealand kept their grip on their Bledisloe Cup but an had to endure encouraging Australian comeback from 21-0 down to suggest the future may not be as bleak as it seemed two weeks ago for Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.
New boys Chinnor open up in fine style
CHINNOR came, saw and conquered at Grantchester Road on their Championship debut, with Cambridge well off the desired pace in a lacklustre first-half for the hosts.
Yendle in place to steal it for Dragons
THE Dragons claimed a third successive victory over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade in the most dramatic fashion thanks to a converted try in the 84th minute of this URC opener.
We must find another gear - Sanderson
NO side accumulated more points than Sale after the break for the Six Nations last season, but Alex Sanderson says they will need to be better again to make the play-offs for the fourth time in five years.
Falcons can't hold on to livewire Randall
BRISTOL picked up where they left off last season, having won seven of their last eight and, although it took time for them to hit top gear, they departed Kingston Park with a deserved four-try victory.
'Old-man' Itoje has Saracens buzzing
SARACENS' new recruits fitted seamlessly into their style of play to run out convincing winners at Kingsholm for the third year in succession.