15 April 2015

England Sevens player Jeff Williams will join Bath Rugby next season.

A dynamic and powerful player - as prop or wing in sevens, and at centre or wing in rugby union - Williams made his national team debut at the 2012 Marriott London Sevens. He gave a hint of what was to come with an impressive solo score against Australia in the closing stages of the Twickenham tournament.

In total the 26-year-old has scored 36 tries in his 20 tournament appearances on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit. He was recently part of the successful squad that won the Tokyo Sevens event earlier this month, the first for England since 2013.

South African-born Williams qualified to represent England through his English father, having played for the Hamiltons club in Cape Town and for the Sharks Academy before a spell in France at Federale 1 side Chateaurenard in Provence. He joined England's training camp in early 2012 before being awarded a full-time Sevens contract.

Bath Rugby Head Coach Mike Ford said: "Coming from the world of sevens, Jeff offers dynamism and a high-tempo style of play. He also fits our policy of recruiting young English talent. The way he plays will really suit the attacking ethos we have here at Bath, and we're looking forward to him arriving at the Club."

Williams said: "I have been honoured and incredibly thankful for the opportunity to represent England at sevens and all of the support I have received has been fantastic. Being part of the Sevens programme has been a great way to develop and the time and attention from my coaches and conditioners has been world class. But I'm incredibly excited about the next stage in my rugby career and to be joining a club of Bath's calibre. The squad is full of world-class players, and the challenge of pushing myself forward for selection is one I'm really looking forward to."

Simon Amor, England Sevens Head Coach, said: "Jeff has been an important member of the squad and brought a real physical edge to our game. He has come through the Sevens programme and really developed as a player and now has an exciting opportunity to move back to XVs and play at a very good Premiership side. I am looking forward to seeing him bring his dynamism to Bath Rugby and would like to thank him for contribution to England Sevens."