Williams pledges his future to Welsh game by signing new deal
TOMOS Williams has committed his future to Welsh rugby by signing a new long-term deal with Cardiff Blues.
The 22-cap scrum-half was out of contract at the end of this season and has attracted widespread interest from other clubs.
But he has decided to stay at the Arms Park, which means he will remain eligible for Wales under the WRU 60-cap rule.
He was the last member of Wayne Pivac’s Six Nations titlewinning squad still to resolve his future, but now he joins the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Aaron Wainwright, Willis Halaholo, Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Jarrod Evans and Ryan Elias in agreeing fresh deals to stay in Wales.
Also, English-based forwards Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands and WillGriff John joining the regions, along with Bath’s Rhys Priestland.
As part of the elite group of 38 home-based players, Williams’ salary would have been decided via the WRU’s wage banding system and finalising that process can take time, but now everything is sorted.
Commenting on putting pen to paper, the 26-year-old said: “I’m really happy to agree this new contract and continue my stay at Cardiff with a lot of boys who I have come through with.
“We have a lot of exciting talent and a lot of potential moving forward, especially with Dai Young back in charge and Matt Sherratt also coming back.
“I want to be a part of that and It would be great to help this club challenge for more silverware.
“I’m very grateful to be staying here and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park with crowds in attendance in the near future.”
Since making his Blues debut in 2013, Williams has made 102 appearances for the region, scoring 18 tries, while also establishing himself as a regular in the Wales squad.
Cardiff Blues director of rugby Dai Young said: “Retaining Tomos was a really important one for us and we have now managed to keep all of the players we wanted to keep, which is testament to the club in what has been a difficult year.
“It means we maintain some real strength and depth in the position, which is really important for our competitiveness and ensures the players will continually challenge each other.
“We have all see how devastating Tomos can be with the ball in hand, he certainly has that x-factor and is a worry for defences but his all round game is also very good.
“He has been frustrated by injuries during the last year, but with a run of games, he is only going to get better and better.”
Williams missed out on selection for the Lions tour of South Africa after having his Six Nations campaign disrupted by a hamstring tear, following on from the shoulder damage which ruled him out of the autumn internationals.