Rhun Williams forced to retire due to injury

Cardiff Blues full-back Rhun Williams has been forced to retire from playing rugby at the age of 22 due to injury.

The North Walian started out playing rugby in Caernarfon, progressing through the regional development pathway of RGC 1404 until he was selected to play for Wales U20. He started every game of the 2016 U20 Grand Slam winning campaign, signing for Cardiff Blues on the back of that.

Arriving at the Arms Park for the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign he started each of the first four games of the Welsh Premiership season for Cardiff RFC before graduating to the Cardiff Blues first team, scoring a try on his full debut away at Benetton in November.

Four tries in 14 appearances across all competitions, as well as a try in three games for Wales U20 in the 2017 U20 Six Nations, put Williams right in the frame for a call-up to the Wales squad on their tour of the Pacific Islands that summer, but a foot injury suffered in the final game of the season away at Stade Francais ruled him out.

He returned at the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign, making 15 appearances in all competitions, until he suffered the injury away at Zebre in February 2018, damaging the nerves in his shoulder as he made a try saving tackle early in the second half.

Despite undergoing extensive rehabilitation, Williams has been advised to end his playing career.

Speaking to the Cardiff Blues official website he said, “I’m obviously really disappointed to be given the news that I will be unable to return to rugby. I have done everything I can to get back but unfortunately that’s the specialist’s advice at this time.

“I’m very grateful for all the support I have had from everyone at Cardiff Blues during the last two years, but particularly the physios and medical department, Phil Davies from the WRPA and my teammates who have been superb.”