Williams signing 'never an option' - Dragons

Liam Williams has played 92 internationals for Wales

Dragons have distanced themselves from reports they are going to sign Wales full-back Liam Williams.

Williams was absent for Wales' Six Nations campaign due to his Japan club commitments but was recalled for summer Tests against South Africa and Australia.

The former Scarlets, Saracens and Cardiff back remains in Warren Gatland's plans building up to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

The 33-year-old has flown back to Japan for his second season with Kubota Spears but had been linked with a move to the Gwent side.

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan played these rumours down of him joining for the 2024-25 campaign pointing to the team's decreasing budget of £4.5m.

"Liam is a fantastic guy and I am a big fan," said Flanagan, who was with Williams at the Scarlets.

"I worked with him for many years and have reminded him that his two British and Irish Lions tours were off the back of being coached by me!

"He is a great guy but has a contract in Japan that he has to honour because he is a loyal man.

"There was never an option of him coming here directly but you read certain rumours and somehow we are said to be in the mix for every player.

"We must have an unlimited budget with the amount of players we have been linked with in the last two years."

Flanagan says there is small amount of money available following the unexpected retirement of prop Lloyd Fairbrother as they aim for a tight-head replacement.

"There is certain money available but one of the learnings for me as a head coach has been to leave something in the pot just in case," he said.

"We had certain points last year when we could have done with something but we had no money available.

"That has been something that I have learnt, that if an SOS call is to be made then we are able to do it."