Welsh full-back Liam Williams departs Kubota Spears

Welsh full-back Liam Williams has departed from the Japanese team Kubota Spears, with an anticipated return to the United Kingdom. The 33-year-old athlete joined Kubota in the summer of 2023, arriving from Cardiff, and participated in seven matches for the team during the previous season. Williams’ career includes stints with Scarlets, Saracens, and Cardiff. He has earned 92 caps representing the Welsh national team and featured in four British and Irish Lions Tests during their most recent tours to New Zealand and South Africa. Williams conveyed his sentiments on the Kubota website, stating, “The decision to leave hasn’t been an easy one, but my wife and I are thrilled to be welcoming our first child soon. I feel it’s important for me to be back home with my family during this special time, I would like to thank [Kubota head coach] Frans (Ludeke) and the coaches for being extremely understanding with regard to my family situation and allowing me to return to the UK. Your support, passion and dedication to the game have been truly inspiring, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been welcomed into such a special group.” Reports have connected Williams with a potential return to Saracens, a club where he secured a Premiership title and a European Champions Cup during a successful prior period from 2017 to 2019. His anticipated return to the United Kingdom is also viewed favorably for Wales, as Williams is now expected to be available for their 2025 Six Nations campaign.