| Birth name | Daniel Williams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 February 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 16 st 5 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ivybridge Community College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Hartpury College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dan Williams [1] (born 1 February 1989) was a rugby union player who either played Lock or Flanker. He played for Gloucester Rugby, Moseley, London Welsh, US Colomiers and Plymouth Albion.
In his younger career he represented England at age group levels from U16s, U18s and U20s. He started his career with Gloucester Rugby in 2008, and as a member of the Gloucester Academy he was also registered to play for Moseley. He did so on several occasions, most notably in the EDF National Trophy Final of 2009, where he won a winners medal. He also played on loan for London Welsh in the Championship. Williams moved to Colomiers in 2011 and in his first season helped the club win promotion from Federale 1 into Pro D2. [2] He was released by Colomiers at the end of season 2012–13 and finished his professional career at Plymouth Albion in the RFU National League 1.
He is currently the Head Coach at Torquay Athletic RFC based in South Devon. In the 2022/23 season, Williams steered the 'Tics' to a second-place finish in the Counties 2 Devon league, with a win percentage of 74%. In the clubs most successful season for a number of years, Williams also saw his side reach the final of the Devon Junior Cup.
In the 2023/24 season, William's side again finished 2nd in the league. However, they lifted the Devon Junior Cup defeating Exeter Saracens 36–12 at Torquay's Recreation Ground. His side were also one of the highest points scorers in the country and came 7th nationally for tries scored, across all of the English leagues.
In the 2024/25 season, it was a case of third time lucky for Williams as his Tics side secured the clubs first promotion in 14 years. Williams masterminded the clubs first ever league and cup double as he saw his side go undefeated for the whole season! You have to look back to the 3rd February 2024 for the last time Williams tasted defeat. Not only did Williams side win the Counites 2 Devon title they did it in style winning all matches with bonus point victories, the 'perfect' season! Williams side also lifted the Devon Intermediate Cup against Western Counites West outfit Plymstock Oaks. At Plymstock's Horsham Fields ground Torquay won a thriller 55-50, with Williams coming off the bench to score a vital try and stole a match winning lineout. Williams coaching stats to date: Played 71, Won 61 (86%), Lost 10 (14%), Points for 2818, Points against 885, Tries 414, Conversions 269, Penalties 33, average points per game for 39.6 and against 12.4. Williams has also showed he is not afraid to use Colt players as 22 have made their debuts under his regime. Next season his side will play in the Western Counites West League where the Tics will lock horns with old adversaries Paignton and Newton Abbot.