George Williams (rugby league)
{{Short description|Great Britain and England international rugby league footballer}}
{{other people|George Williams}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = George Williams
|fullname =
|image = George Williams.jpg
|image_size =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1994|10|31}}
|birth_place = Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
|height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|weight = {{convert|91|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|position = {{Rlp|SH|SO}}
|club1 = Wigan Warriors
|year1start = 2013
|year1end = 19
|appearances1 = 179
|tries1 = 60
|goals1 = 70
|fieldgoals1 = 1
|points1 = 381
|club2 = {{nowrap|→ South Wales Scorpions}}
|year2start = 2013 (loan)
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 1
|tries2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 0
|club3 = Canberra Raiders
|year3start = 2020
|year3end = 21
|appearances3 = 32
|tries3 = 10
|goals3 = 16
|fieldgoals3 = 2
|points3 = 74
| club4 = Warrington Wolves
| year4start = 2021
| year4end = present
| appearances4 = 91
| tries4 = 35
| goals4 = 0
| fieldgoals4 = 6
| points4 = 147
|teamA = England
|yearAstart = 2015
|yearAend = 23
|appearancesA = 18
|triesA = 10
|goalsA = 1
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 30
|teamB = Great Britain
|yearBstart = 2019
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|source = {{Rugby league records |id=4227 |title=George Williams |access-date=11 May 2023}}{{cite web|title=George Williams – Player Profile|url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/teams/first-team/george-williams|publisher=Wigan Warriors|access-date=21 January 2018}}[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/george-williams-ww-/summary.html Rugby League Project]
|updated = 22 April 2025
}}
George Williams (born 31 October 1994) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|sh}} and {{rlp|so}} for Warrington Wolves in the Super League and England at international level.
He has previously played as a {{rlp|so}} for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League, and spent time on loan from Wigan at the South Wales Scorpions in Championship 1. He spent two years in the NRL playing for the Canberra Raiders, however he was released during the 2021 NRL season on compassionate grounds.
Background
Williams was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.
Club career
=Wigan Warriors=
Williams was born on 31 October 1994 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, and began playing junior rugby league at local amateur teams Ince Rose Bridge and Wigan St Patricks. He joined the Wigan scholarship programme and was signed to their Academy team in 2011 on a four-year contract.{{cite web|title=Warriors Sign Up 13 Scholarship Players|url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2011-07-15-warriors-sign-up-13-scholarship-players|publisher=Wigan Warriors|access-date=21 January 2018|date=15 July 2011}}
Williams made his senior début in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup in April 2013, scoring a try in a 60–10 victory over Championship club Leigh. He made his first Super League appearance a month later against London Broncos, scoring another try, and also played against Widnes. He returned to the Academy side later in the season, helping Wigan win the under-19 Grand Final with two tries in a 34–10 victory against Leeds.{{cite web|title=Wigan win Academy Grand Final|url=http://www.totalrl.com/wigan-win-academy-grand-final|publisher=Total Rugby League|access-date=21 January 2018|date=28 September 2013}}
Williams became a regular in the first team during the 2014 season, and signed a new four-year contract in May 2014.{{cite web|title=George Williams: Wigan Warriors half-back signs four-year contract|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/27423326|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 January 2018|date=15 May 2014}} He made 23 appearances during the season, scoring seven tries, including his first senior hat-trick against Hull F.C. in July 2014.{{cite web|title=Super League: Wigan Warriors 56–10 Hull FC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/28317597|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 January 2018|date=18 July 2014}} He appeared for Wigan as a substitute in the 2014 Super League Grand Final defeat by St. Helens.
Following the departure of Blake Green, Williams became the first-choice {{rlp|so}} for Wigan and was assigned the number 6 jersey before the start of the 2015 season. He played in the World Club Series against Brisbane. Williams made 33 appearances and was a near ever-present throughout the season, missing only one game early in the year against Huddersfield after suffering an injury during the warm-up.{{cite web|last1=Laybourn|first1=Ian|title=Tomkins looks a class act as Wigan roar back|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-league/tomkins-looks-a-class-act-as-wigan-roar-back-10046052.html|website=The Independent|access-date=21 January 2018|date=14 February 2015}}
Williams was awarded the Super League Young Player of the Year award at the Man of Steel awards on 5 October 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hardaker-crowned-2015-steve-prescott-man-of-steel |title=Hardaker crowned 2015 Steve Prescott Man of Steel |website=Love Rugby League |date=5 October 2015 |access-date=22 July 2024}} Williams also played in the 2015 Grand Final, but was again on the losing side as Wigan were defeated 20–22 against the Leeds at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/10/leeds-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final|publisher=Guardian|date=10 October 2015|access-date=8 November 2019}}
In 2016, Williams again featured in the World Club Series against Brisbane, scoring one try in a heavy 12–42 defeat. Williams also won his first club honours, with Wigan defeating the Warrington club in the 2016 Grand Final at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/oct/08/super-league-grand-final-warrington-wigan-live|title=Warrington 6-12 Wigan: Super League Grand Final – as it happened!|publisher=Guardian|date=8 October 2016|access-date=6 November 2019}}
On 19 February 2017, Williams was the stand-out performer in the 2017 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, helping Wigan to a 22–6 win.{{cite web|last1=Bower|first1=Aaron|title=Wigan turn on the style to beat Cronulla and win World Club Challenge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/19/wigan-world-club-challenge-cronulla|website=The Guardian|access-date=21 January 2018|date=19 February 2017}} In April 2017, he signed a new four-year contract with Wigan.{{cite web|title=George Williams: Wigan Warriors half-back signs four-year deal with champions|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39584434|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 January 2018|date=12 April 2017}}
On 26 August 2017, Williams played in his first Challenge Cup final, with Wigan losing 14–18 to Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-final-live-score-11054626|title=Hull FC 18-14 Wigan recap as the Black and Whites claim back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs|publisher=Mirror|date=26 August 2017|access-date=6 November 2019}}
He played in the 2018 Super League Grand Final victory over Warrington at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/oct/13/super-league-grand-final-2018-wigan-warriors-v-warrington-wolves-live?page=with:block-5bc1ff43e4b05798be94cc63#liveblog-navigation|title=Super League Grand Final 2018: Wigan 12-4 Warrington – as it happened|publisher=Guardian|date=13 October 2018|access-date=5 November 2019}}
=Canberra Raiders=
On 9 July 2019 it was announced that Williams would leave Wigan to join the Canberra Raiders for the 2020 National Rugby League season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/09/raiders-sign-test-half-george-williams/|title=Raiders sign Test half George Williams|date=8 July 2019}}
Williams played 22 games for Canberra in the 2020 NRL season as the club fell one game short of the grand final.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/ricky-stuart-storms-out-of-canberra-raiders-press-conference-after-one-question/edab3d4d-0eeb-4960-acc0-89d06797f8e0/|title=Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart storms out of press conference after one question|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}
On 25 May 2021, Williams was released from his contract with Canberra citing homesickness as the key reason. It was initially reported that Williams had demanded an immediate release from the club until the player took to Twitter explaining his side of the story. Williams said "I asked for a release weeks ago for the end of the season... Not once did I ask for a immediate release but instead of supporting me the club kicked me out the door".{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/05/25/george-williams-gets-immediate-release-from-raiders/|title=Raiders' immediate release of Williams adds new buyer in player market|website=www.nrl.com|date=25 May 2021}}
On 22 June 2021, Williams fired one final parting shot at Canberra head coach Ricky Stuart saying “I'm just sad that relationship is pretty sour, I’ve not spoken to him since the release. He was brilliant and I’ll never forget that, but when things went bad he turned his back on me".{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-george-williams-vs-ricky-stuart-canberra-raiders-release/news-story/48ef93c6bfc9a70cfc463fb1ea4ec52e/|title='Turned his back on me': Williams reveals relationship with Ricky went 'sour' amid 'messy' exit|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=22 June 2021}}
=Warrington Wolves=
On 8 July 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Warrington in the Super League.{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=8 Jul 2021|accessdate=8 Jul 2021|title=George Williams signs for Warrington|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/george-williams-signs-for-warrington/}} He made his Warrington debut against Leeds on 1 August 2021, scoring a last minute drop-goal in a 27-26 victory. He was awarded Heritage Number 1174 for Warrington.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58050597/|title=George Williams lands last-minute drop-goal to give Warrington 27-26 win at Leeds Rhinos|work=BBC Sport}}
In round 24 of the 2021 Super League season, he kicked two drop goals including the winner in golden point extra-time as Warrington beat Salford 20-19.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58530152/|title=Warrington Wolves 20-19 Salford Red Devils|work=BBC Sport}}
In round 24 of the 2023 Super League season, Williams scored two tries for Warrington in their 66-12 victory over Castleford.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66661853/|title=Super League: Warrington Wolves 66-12 Castleford Tigers - Wire demolish struggling Tigers|work=BBC Sport }}
Williams played 23 games for Warrington in the 2023 Super League season and scored 11 tries as Warrington finished sixth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. Williams played in the clubs elimination playoff loss against St Helens.{{cite web|url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/23827325.highs-lows-warrington-wolves-2023-season/|title=Highs and lows from Warrington Wolves' 2023 season|website=www.warringtonguardian.co.uk|date=3 October 2023 }}
On 8 June 2024, Williams played in Warrington's 2024 Challenge Cup final defeat against Wigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c2jj1x7m71zo/|title=Wigan beat Warrington to win Challenge Cup|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
In the 2024 elimination playoff against St Helens, Williams kicked the winning drop goal in Warrington's 23-22 golden point extra-time victory. Williams played a total of 26 games for Warrington in the 2024 Super League season including their semi-final loss against Hull Kingston Rovers.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/28/warrington-st-helens-super-league-eliminator-playoff-rugby-league-match-report/|title=
‘Soul destroying’: Warrington eliminate St Helens in golden drop goal thriller|website=www.theguardian.com}}
On 16 April 2025, it was announced that Williams would miss at least eight weeks with an ankle injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/warrington-wolves-coach-confirms-huge-george-williams-blow-as-further-injury-woes-revealed/|title=Warrington Wolves coach confirms huge George Williams blow as further injury woes revealed|website=www.loverugbyleague.com}}
International career
File:George Williams England.jpg
Williams made his international début for England in 2015, and represented England at the 2017 World Cup.
After an outstanding Super League 2015 season, Williams was selected in the England team for their test series against New Zealand. Williams made his début for England in a test match, before the series, against France which saw Williams score a try in England's rout of their opponents.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/live/match/43791/report|title=England demolish France 84–4 in record win|publisher=Skysports.com|access-date=24 October 2015}}
In October 2016, Williams was selected in the England squad for the 2016 Four Nations.
In October 2017 he was selected in the England squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup,{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/james-roby-back-fold-wayne-11312505|title=England rugby league World Cup squad revealed - and James Roby is back in the fold|publisher=Mirror|date=9 October 2017|access-date=30 October 2019}} making two appearances for England in the group stages.
He was selected in England's 9s squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/sam-tomkins-eager-lift-inaugural-20595184|title=Sam Tomkins eager to lift inaugural World 9s title with England Down Under|publisher=Mirror|date=16 October 2019|access-date=29 October 2019}}
He was selected in the squad for the 2019 Great Britain Lions tour of the Southern Hemisphere.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-league/2019/10/14/zak-hardaker-shock-inclusion-24-man-great-britain-squad-tour/|title=Zak Hardaker shock inclusion in 24-man Great Britain squad for tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea|publisher=Telegraph|date=14 October 2019|access-date=29 October 2019}}
File:George Williams England warm up.jpg
In October he was named in the England squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021]
In November he was named in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup Team of the Tournament.[https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-team-of-the-tournament-samoan-players-matt-parish-jarome-luai-mens-news-grand-final-australia-vs-samoa-news/news-story/a21b36bd8c3bf810be6953e4420220a9 Samoan domination as unlikely halfback earns No.7 jersey: WC Team of the Tournament]
In April 2023 Williams was named as England captain for the match against France at Warrington.{{cite web |title=George Williams: Warrington Wolves scrum-half named new England captain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65315098 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=18 April 2023 |date=18 April 2023}}
Williams scored a hat-trick in the match as England won the game 64-0.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-league/65418274/|title=England beat France 64-0 - hat-tricks for Handley and Williams|work=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2023 }}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||
| bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Season !! Team !! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! DG !! Points | ||||||
| 2013 | rowspan="7"| {{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} Wigan Warriors | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2014 | 23 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 50 | |
| 2015 | 33 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 | |
| 2016 | 26 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 | |
| 2017 | 33 | 11 | 54 | 1 | 153 | |
| 2018 | 27 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 34 | |
| 2019 | 34 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 | |
| 2020
| rowspan="2" |{{Leagueicon|Canberra|16}} Canberra Raiders |22 |7 | |1 |29 | ||||||
| rowspan="2" |2021
|10 |3 |16 |1 |45 | ||||||
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington Wolves
|8 |3 | |3 |15 | ||||||
| 2022
|23 |8 | | |32 | ||||||
| 2023
|25 |11 | |1 |45 | ||||||
| 2024
|18 |8 | |1 |33 | ||||||
| colspan="2" |Total | 280 | 10 | 86 | 8 | 572 |
Honours
=Club=
- Super League
- Winners (2): 2016, 2018
- Challenge Cup
- Winners (1): 2013
- World Club Challenge
- Winners (1): 2017
=Individual=
- Super League Young Player of the Year: 2015
- Rugby League World Cup Team of the Tournament: 2021
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20210126055519/https://www.raiders.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canberra-raiders/george-williams/ Canberra Raiders profile]
- [http://www.wiganwarriors.com/teams/first-team/george-williams Wigan Warriors profile]
- [https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/23/george%3Cbr-%3Ewilliams SL profile]
- [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=379#George-Williams 2017 RLWC profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/rugby-league-world-cup/england/george-williams/ England profile]
{{Warrington Wolves squad}}
{{Wigan Warriors squad - 2016 Super League champions}}
{{Wigan Warriors - 2017 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Wigan Warriors - 2018 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{England 2016 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{England 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s squad}}
{{Great Britain 2019 Lions squad}}
{{England 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, George}}
Category:21st-century English sportsmen
Category:Canberra Raiders players
Category:England national rugby league team captains
Category:England national rugby league team players
Category:English rugby league players
Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league players from Wigan
Category:South Wales Scorpions players
Category:Warrington Wolves players