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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Sunderland

Wales star Liam Williams blocking "internet trolls" after agreeing to join local rivals

Combating social media criticism has come to be part and parcel with most careers as a high-profile athlete, something of which Wales full-back Liam Williams has come to be fully aware.

The two-time British and Irish Lions tourist was exposed to the tribalism that separates Wales' regions when it was announced in early January that he'd be leaving Scarlets for Cardiff this summer.

It marks the second time Williams will depart Parc y Scarlets, having ended his first six-season spell in Llanelli to join Saracens in 2017 before moving back in the opposite direction three years later.

However, injuries and international commitments mean the 30-year-old has played more than twice as many Test matches (15) as he has games for Scarlets (six) since returning to the club.

Liam Williams has opened up about his experience battling "internet trolls" since his upcoming move to Cardiff was confirmed (Getty Images)

That led to criticism from some among the Scarlets fan base, particularly as he was set to join a direct rival in Cardiff, who also compete in the United Rugby Championship.

"You always get these internet trolls who sit behind a keyboard," Williams explained.

"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed about it, you always get these. I was there [at Scarlets] for six years before I left the first time and over the past two years not much rugby has been played.

"I'm still with the Scarlets until the end of the season and I'll give 100 per cent down there.

"What can you say? I'll do my best until the end of the season."

Do you think will defend their Six Nations crown this year? Let us know in the comments section.

It's a tricky predicament for one of Europe's in-form full-backs of the last decade, though Williams is no stranger to online abuse.

The Swansea native became the target of widespread vitriol last year when he was sin-binned for an intentional knock-on late on during Wales' Six Nations defeat to France.

The offence came less than a minute after Taulupe Faletau 's yellow card already left Wayne Pivac's side with 14 men, and although it didn't prevent them clinching the title, Wales did miss out on a rare Grand Slam.

Williams was also slammed for wearing 'black face' in 2014 when he dressed up as former Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony.

Liam Williams has started in both of Wales' Six Nations outings so far this year (REUTERS/Rebecca Naden)

Cardiff have made a number of marquee signings ahead of the 2022/23 season, with fellow Lion Faletau also set to join alongside Wasps back-rower Thomas Young (son of the club's director of rugby, Dai).

Wales are currently enjoying a respite from the Six Nations campaign but return to action against England at Twickenham on February 26.

Pivac's side lost to Ireland in the opening match of their title defence but hit back to beat Scotland at home last time out, a well-timed boost given they haven't won at Headquarters since 2015.

"I actually quite like heading up to London and playing at Twickenham," said Williams, who started when Wales struck late to beat England 28-25 in the pool stage of their home Rugby World Cup.

"I know the crowd gets on your back, but obviously that's part and parcel of home and away games.

Wales' Six Nations title defence hopes were revived following a narrow second-round win over Scotland (Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

"I've had a good couple of games there and a couple of good wins too. For me personally, I don't get intimidated by any stadium.

"I try and get energy from that and the boos and when you're driving in, the guys flicking the Vs at you and all that. I try and get some energy from that and take it onto the pitch."

The full-back flyer will have more opportunities to relish in that sense of rivalry after he completes his move to Cardiff at the end of this season.

Many of those in Llanelli will still remember Williams as a key contributor to their Pro12 title triumph of 2017, making Scarlets the only Welsh team to have won a league crown in the past nine seasons.

Others have proved less forgiving of his decision to leave (again), though that frustration may end up backfiring against a player who so often delights in upsetting the opposition.

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