| Birth name | David Brynmor Williams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 29 October 1951 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cardigan, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 79 kg (12 st 6 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ysgol Gynradd Penparc; Cardigan Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Cardiff College of Education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Gwynfor Williams, Lloyd Williams, Tom Williams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Scrum-half/Halfback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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David Brynmor Williams MBE (born 29 October 1951)[1] is a Welsh former rugby union and rugby league player. A dual-code international, he won three caps for the British Lions and three for Wales in rugby union, and one in rugby league for Wales.
A scrum-half, he played rugby union for Cardiff, Newport and Swansea at club level, and in rugby league for Cardiff City Blue Dragons, also as a scrum-half.[2]
Williams was born in Cardigan, and was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Penparc, Cardigan Grammar School and Cardiff College of Education. He is the elder brother of another rugby player, Gwynfor Williams. His sons, Lloyd and Tom, are professional rugby players.
In 1977 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions when he had yet to be capped by Wales. He made his international debut in the first test of the series against New Zealand at Athletic Park, Wellington, in June 1977 and went on to play in the first three tests before being replaced due to injury during the third. He made his Wales debut against Australia at Ballymore, Brisbane in June 1978 and scored a try on his debut. His only two other appearances for Wales came in the 1981 Five Nations championship. Williams' rugby union appearances were limited by the presence of first Gareth Edwards, and then Terry Holmes in the same club and national teams.
Williams is Welsh-speaking and is sometimes called upon as a pundit in the Welsh-language media.[3] In 2016 Williams took up the voluntary role as Chair of Fields in Trust Cymru, a charity dedicated to protecting outdoor space for play, sport and recreation.[4]
Williams was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to sport and charity in Wales.[5]