Mike Williams (rugby union)
Michael Patrick Williams (born 4 November 1991, in Bulawayo) is a Zimbabwean rugby player for Bath. He previously played for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby and for Worcester Warriors in the RFU Championship.[1][2] He plays primarily as a lock but he can also play at flanker.
Full name | Michael Patrick Williams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 4 November 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 118 kg (18 st 8 lb; 260 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Christian Brothers College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In 2010 and 2011, he captained the Sharks at age-group level in South Africa before playing with Tuks and the Pretoria-based Blue Bulls in 2012 and 2013. He enjoyed an outstanding 2013 Varsity Cup campaign, winning man of the match in the semi-final against UJ.[3]
He moved to England to join Worcester Warriors on a two-year deal.[4] On 1 February 2015, Williams would leave Worcester for Premiership Rugby side Leicester Tigers from the 2015–2016 season.[5]
On 18 January 2019, Williams would leave Leicester to join Premiership rivals Bath from the 2019-20 season. [6]
Williams received his first call up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones on 1 August 2016 for a pre-season training squad.[7] On 30 September 2016 he was named in the Test squad for the Autumn Internationals.[8] However he was subsequently ruled out of the Tests after breaking his arm.[9]
References
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Mike Williams". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- "It's Rugby Player Profile Mike Williams". It's Rugby. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB UP-Tuks 1 61-24 FNB UJ". South African Rugby Union. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- "Forward Mike Williams has agreed to join the Worcester Warriors from the Blue Bulls". Sky Sports. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- "Leicester Tigers sign Worcester Warriors back-row forward Mike Williams". Sky Sports. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- "Mike Williams is moving from Leicester Tigers to old rivals Bath for the 2019-20 season". Leicester Mercury. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- "England squad: Nathan Hughes in, Danny Cipriani and Chris Ashton out". BBC Sport. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- "England Rugby: Eddie Jones calls up seven uncapped players". BBC Sport. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- "Mike Williams: Leicester Tigers flanker breaks arm for third time". BBC Sport. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.