Jim Williams (rugby union) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jim Williams

Birth name	R.W. Williams
Date of birth	(1968-12-08) 8 December 1968 (age 56)
Place of birth	Young, New South Wales, Australia
Height	193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	113 kg (17 st 11 lb; 249 lb)
Occupation(s)	Assistant coach
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker /Number eight Current team Retired Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) ? Young ? (?) ? Wests ? (?) 1994–95 W. Hartlepool ? (?) 1996 Waratahs ? (?) 1997 Warringah ? (?) 1998–2001 Brumbies ? (?) 2001–05 Munster 74 (74) 2015 Greater Sydney Rams () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) ?-1999 Australia (sevens) ? (?) 1999–2000 Australia 14 (10) Teams coached Years Team 2006–07 Munster (Assistant coach) 2007–08 Munster (Forwards coach) 2008–11 Australia (Assistant)

Jim Williams, born on December 8, 1968, is a well-known former international rugby union player and coach from Australia. He played as a flanker or number eight. He was an assistant coach for the Australian national rugby union team, also known as the Wallabies. In 2015, he was the head coach for the Greater Sydney Rams in the National Rugby Championship.

Jim Williams' Early Life and Rugby Start

Jim Williams was born in a town called Young in New South Wales, Australia. When he was a boy, he played rugby league. He switched to rugby union after he joined the army at 17 years old. He first played for Young RFC, then moved to Brisbane and played for Wests Bulldogs.

Playing Rugby in England

In 1994, Jim Williams moved to England. He played for one season with the West Hartlepool team. This was an important step in his professional rugby career.

Jim Williams' Australian Rugby Journey

After his time in England, Williams returned to Australia. He played club rugby in Sydney. He was close to joining the NSW Waratahs team. He found his best form when he started playing in the back row. This led to him being chosen by coach Eddie Jones for the ACT Brumbies in 1998. His strong performance with the Brumbies helped him get selected for the Australian squad. He then played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Playing for Munster in Ireland

In 2001, Jim Williams did not get selected for the Wallabies. He then decided to accept a two-year contract with Munster, an Irish club. He quickly became the captain of the team. He played 30 matches in the Heineken Cup for Munster. He also scored 15 points during his time there. Williams continued playing until 2005. After that, he became an assistant coach for Munster.

Coaching the Wallabies

Jim Williams continued coaching at Munster until 2008. That year, the new Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans, offered him a job as an assistant coach. In June 2008, Williams started his new role with the Australian national team. He worked alongside another assistant coach, Michael Foley. Williams left his coaching role with the Wallabies in 2011.