| Brian Williams, a Pembrokeshire farmer, was one of the cornerstones of the Neath pack in the late eighties and early nineties that made the club the most feared in British rugby.
Born in Penfford, near Maenclochog, on July 9th 1962, Williams learned his rugby at Ysgol Preseli and later moved to Narberth rugby club. He represented Pembrokeshire before joining Neath RFC in 1983 and formed and all-farming front row with Kevin Phillips and John Davies.
Williams made more than 250 appearances for the Welsh All Blacks between 1983 and 1995. In that time he played against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa for the club and helped them to win the WRU Challenge Cup twice, the inaugural Heineken League title and two Western Mail championships.
He was also at the heart of the side that set new world tries (385) and points (1,917) records for a season in 1988–1989. Four years after retiring he made a cameo appearance for the club against Georgia and was at The Gnoll last weekend for the players reunion at the Principality Premiership match with Llandovery.
Williams's five appearances for Wales came in 1990 and 1991. His debut was against Scotland in Cardiff in 1990 and his final appearance came against England in 1991.
Williams died suddenly of a suspected heart attack on Wednesday 7th February 2007 at the age of 44.
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