Winner Williams ideal for Newcastle's Red Bull rebuild

Liam Williams has won 93 caps for Wales and five for the British and Irish Lions

Liam Williams' winning mentality will be perfect for building the new culture at Newcastle Red Bulls, according to director of rugby Steve Diamond.

Williams is the latest high-profile addition to the newly renamed Red Bulls having signed a one-year contract.

The 34-year-old Wales full-back brings a wealth of experience, as twice a British and Irish Lions tourist, a Grand Slam winner with his country and a winner with both Scarlets and Saracens at domestic and European level.

"Liam will rub off on all of the squad," said Diamond.

"A lot of lads at Newcastle have traditionally been in losing environments so to bring in someone of his capability and experience will be really good, to see his mindset and rub shoulders with him."

Williams will not be available for Friday's Prem Rugby opener against former club Saracens, but Diamond hopes that he will be in contention for the trip to Exeter Chiefs on 4 October.

Williams was a free agent having left Saracens at the end of last season where he had only been for a few months in his second spell after cutting short a stint in Japan with Kubota Spears.

He has not played since injuring his knee for Wales in January in the Six Nations defeat to France in Paris, but Diamond says the full-back is good to go, as he closes in on a century of Wales caps, with him currently on 93.

"Liam's 34 years of age, so we've got to look after him," added Diamond.

"He'll be like a tube of toothpaste, we just need to squeeze it gently to get the most out of him over the next 12 months.

"He's not coming to play 30 games, he's coming to play 15, 20 games for us and it's not what he brings on the field, it's what he brings around the whole environment.

"I like blokes like him. He's got a great reputation, I met him on holiday in the summer and had a bit of a chat. He's got through his injuries, he's as fit as a butcher's dog and he has a really good mental attitude."