Forged in a mining community in south Wales, Tomos Williams is set to bring eye-catching flair to The British & Irish Lions in Australia this summer.
The Welshman will head Down Under off the back of a stellar season for Gloucester in the Premiership and will look to bring his electric playstyle to the fore in the famous red jersey.
A British & Irish Lions call-up is the self-confessed peak of a career that has taken Williams from his roots in south Wales to all over the world.
Here is the scrum-half’s journey.
Born a baller
Williams was born in the rugby heartland of Treorchy in the Rhondda, but it was almost basketball that won his affections.
The scrum-half was a prodigious basketball player growing up and represented Wales at under-16 level, before committing to rugby.
Williams played as a point guard for RCT Gladiators, controlling the play in a similar manner to his scrum-half role in rugby, as well as learning plenty of the ball skills that are evident in his play.
“I played it from ever since I was walking pretty much, as soon as I could get a ball,” he told Wales Online. “We used to have the old hoop out the back of the house.”
“It’s definitely helped me a lot with my general co-ordination and especially my handling. It’s helped my footwork a lot as well, I think.. If you look at the top basketball players, they have all got unbelievable ball skills. I always enjoyed playing the sport.”
Rugby roots in the Rhondda
Despite Williams’ basketball talents, he was never too far from the oval ball either.
It was perhaps inescapable in the hotbed of the Rhondda, and his hometown of Treorchy even boasted its own Lion in 1950 Tourist Billy Cleaver.
Williams was coached by his father, Steve, at Treorchy and spent hours practising with brothers Owen and Lloyd but it was not until later that the call came from Cardiff’s academy and he had to pick between rugby and basketball.
“I had to give up one or the other when the Blues Academy called me in when I was about 18,” he explained.
“We used to spend hour after hour passing the ball to each other. My old man made sure of that. He played rugby for Treorchy and coached me at the club up until youth. He played a big part in my development.
“[Clive Jones] asked me to go and play in a tournament down in Truro when I was 17. After that, I had a few games for Blues U18s and went into the it Academy.
“That tournament was a bit of a breakthrough moment because I was just playing youth rugby up until then.”
Cardiff centurion
Williams progressed through the Cardiff academy and made his senior debut in 2013.
He was a regular by the 2016/17 season and scored a stunning try in Cardiff’s 31-30 Challenge Cup final victory over future employers Gloucester in 2018.
Williams continued to be a key presence for Cardiff right the way through his decade at the club, making 146 appearances in all before choosing to leave at the end of the 2024 season.
“I’m really grateful to Cardiff for everything they have given me in my career,” he said.
“This club is all I have known and after 11 years with the first team squad, I feel the time is right to make a change.
“I have made a huge amount of friends, have great memories and will always love running out at the Arms Park.”
Welsh international
It did not take long for Williams’ precocious talents to earn international recognition, and he represented Wales at under-18 level before becoming a key part of the under-20 side that competed at the 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
He made 18 appearances at under-20 level and also represented Wales Sevens as a teenager. Williams made his Sevens debut in Japan as a 19-year-old and went on to play 29 times in the small-sided form.
A first senior call-up for the 15s came in 2017 but it was not until a year later that Williams made his international bow against South Africa in Washington D.C.
The scrum-half has not looked back since, becoming a key player for his country and was part of the squad at both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
Cherry & White is alright
Williams took the plunge to leave Cardiff and move to Gloucester at the end of the 2024 season.
It proved an inspired decision, with Williams raising his game to new levels in Cherry & White – something he believes was key to earning his Lions call-up.
"I don't think I'd be in this position if it wasn't for Gloucester," Williams told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. "Coming here this season has helped me massively."
Williams has been in impressive form throughout the 2024-25 season, notching eight tries and assisting another eight as well as producing some standout moments with his handling and passing, including a no-look pass against Bristol Bears.
Williams’ performances earned him a nomination for Gallagher Player of the Season.
"Tomos is a world-class player, anyone that has seen him play this season will understand what I mean by that," said Gloucester coach James Lightfoot Brown.
"He's an incredibly gifted, committed man who is currently in my opinion in the absolute prime of his career, playing some brilliant rugby and bringing other people with him.
"I think that's the important thing, not only is he doing the bits of individual brilliance but for someone in his position it's so important he brings people with him, and he's got the respect of the whole group and we're certainly reaping the rewards of signing Tomos Williams."
Once a Lion
After over a decade playing the game, Williams arrives at its pinnacle in the best form of his career.
The honour of representing the British & Irish Lions was not lost on the 30-year-old when he learned of his inclusion.
"I've got to admit I did shed a tear," said Williams. "I'm very proud. The last two days, I've been an emotional wreck.
"I'm just grateful for my parents, my partner Laura and everyone who has helped me this far. I can't put it into words. It's the top of the mountain.
"You can't get much higher than this achievement. "To put all the work in throughout your life. I'm lost for words."
He will become Treorchy’s second Lion, and he was quick to return to his roots after he was named in the squad to travel to Australia.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to my parents,” he told Gloucester Rugby TV.
“I am sure most parents are the same, they carted me round everywhere, training, games, anywhere I wanted to go when I was younger.
“I had a nice FaceTime after the announcement. I am so grateful to them and my partner Laura.
“I am really happy to represent Wales, hopefully we can do them proud.”
