Jim Williams recalls Munster move: 'It was one of the best decisions I ever made'

Williams played 74 times for Munster, became the province’s captain before transitioning to an assistant coach under Kidney in the historic 2005-06 season at the end of which the Heineken Cup was lifted for the first time

Jim Williams playing for Munster in September, 2001. Pic: Brendan Moran, Sportsfile

A visit to Australia by the British & Irish Lions always offers former Wallaby Jim Williams an opportunity to reflect, both on his experience of playing against the tourists and the doors it opened for a career-defining move to Munster.

It is 24 years ago that Williams captained a Brumbies side including Stephen Larkham against a Lions team featuring Munster icons and soon-to-be clubmates Ronan O’Gara and David Wallace and then tasted victory over Graham Henry’s 2001 tourists in an Australia A jersey. Two months later, having been overlooked for the Test series after 14 caps and a place in the 1999 World Cup-winning squad, the No.8 was making his debut in red in a pre-season friendly for Declan Kidney’s side at Musgrave Park against London Irish.