Dai Young is confident that Liam Williams will provide a boost, both on and off the field, as the full back prepares to link up with Cardiff for the 2022/23 campaign.
The two-times British & Irish Lion becomes the Blue and Blacks’ third signing ahead of next season, bolstering the back three options at Cardiff Arms Park with Hallam Amos set to retire at the end of the campaign to focus on his career in medicine.
Young is excited to secure a player of Williams’ stature and he believes the Scarlets product will benefit youngsters such as Jacob Beetham and Cameron Winnett, who both impressed in Europe last month.
“It’s a big signing, obviously, because he’s a quality player and an experienced player,” explained the director of rugby.
“We haven’t got too many players within our squad with that type of experience and rugby knowledge.
“We’re really pleased to get Liam on board and we think he’ll be a big plus for us both on and off the field.
“If you look at his past history, he’s averaged double figures in appearances every season. that’s what we’re looking for from our senior internationals.
“Any players in the 38 have got game limits, and Wales play anywhere between 12 and 16 internationals.
“So if they’re fully fit throughout the season, you’ll probably get 10 or 12 games out of them, if you’re lucky.
“What we think he can do is demonstrate to the young players in our squad what it takes to be a player of that quality, what it takes to have the ability to keep going out and putting the performances in, which we know he’s capable of game after game.
“We feel he’ll be a really good role model for youngsters that’s coming through.
“He’s also very strong under the high ball, we all know that, and he’s got the ability to beat the first defender. He will add to our attacking game and adds to our defensive game as well.
“We all know he’s a top quality British and Irish Lions player and you don’t always get the luck to get those players on board.”
Williams follows Wales back row duo Taulupe Faletau and Thomas Young in committing to the Blue and Blacks next season.
Young recognises there’s recruitment work to be done amongst the front five but says it can be a challenge in the current market.
“Behind, we’re sorted now and we’re comfortable with what we’ve got there. We’re also comfortable in the back row but what we’d like to do is strengthen the front five,” added the former Wales prop.
“That’s an ongoing process but most teams in Europe is looking for these big, burly lock forwards. The same is true for the big, mobile, scrummaging front row.
“We’re one of many teams looking for the same type of players and we see it as an area we need to strengthen.
“As I say, it’s an ongoing process but they’re few and far between.
“We also think there’s more to come from the players we’ve got but you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
“If we bring in players who stop younger players from playing, then you’ll be criticised for that. But it’s a fine balance between developing the players you’ve got, making them better, but you also want to bring in quality that can enhance their development and make us more competitive.
“We’ve been talking about wanting to sign a number eight for a while, and we’ve also got Hallam going the other way and going focus on his medical profession, so there’s an opportunity at full back.
“We still need to keep looking but like I’ve said it can be pretty difficult because people are looking at players in the same positions.
“We’ve been pretty prudent in the way we’ve spent the money and there is still money available if we can find the right player at the right time.