WILLIAMS TURNS BACK ON WALES

LIAM WILLIAMS is set to be the first star to turn his back on Welsh rugby amid the country’s ongoing contractual chaos, with the full back poised for a lucrative move to Japan. Sportsmail understands Williams is close to agreeing a deal with Kobe Steelers as significant budget cuts at Wales’ four regions continue to have a major impact. The Six Nations squad threatened to strike before last weekend’s game against England with about 90 of the country’s out-ofcontract players unable to be offered new ones. The strike was averted but there remain significant problems in the Welsh game. The central funding from the Welsh Rugby Union to Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets is set to drop significantly. Players across Wales will see their pay packets cut by an average of 20 per cent, so the country’s top talent is looking for a swift exit.