Brian Williams (rugby union)
| Birth name | Brian Richard Williams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 9 July 1960 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Penffordd, Pembrokeshire, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 7 February 2007 (aged 46) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Llangolman, Pembrokeshire, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Brian Richard Williams (9 July 1960 - 7 February 2007) was a Welsh international rugby union player.
Life and career
Williams was born in
Penffordd, near Maenclochog in Pembrokeshire, into the West Wales farming community. He began playing rugby at Ysgol y Preseli, Narberth RFC and Pembrokeshire RFC,[1]
with his brothers John and Anthony. His nephew Andrew is currently a rising star at scrum-half in Narberth's youth set-up, and side player for Wales Under 21 side.
Williams was spotted and signed for
Kevin Phillips and fellow prop Jeremy Pugh, later replaced by neighbour John Davies. Williams played in the Neath side that was Welsh Club Champions in 1986/7, 1988/9 and 1989/90, won the inaugural Welsh Premier Division title in 1990/1, and also won the WRU Challenge Cup
in 1988/9 and 1989/90. Williams featured in the Neath side that set new world records for tries (385) and points (1917) in the 1988-89 season; and played for the club against several international touring sides.
His build may have delayed him being selected to play for Wales, and he had to wait for his international debut until 1990, by which time Neath coach
Duncan Jones led Wales for the first time in June 2006, he said that he had "always looked up to Brian Williams in the way he played."[2]
Williams retired from the first-class game in 1995 to run his dairy farm, having played over 250 games for Neath.
Death
Williams died at the age of 46 in
heart attack, having been actively involved in a club reunion at The Gnoll rugby ground only four days earlier. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.[3]
References
- ^ "Obituary: Brian Williams". The Independent. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Welsh | Former Wales prop Williams dies
- ^ "Former Wales prop Williams dies". BBC. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2016.