Jim Williams (rugby union)

Jim Williams (born 8 December 1968) is a former international rugby union player and coach. He was most recently assistant coach to the Australian national rugby union team. Williams was head coach of the Greater Sydney Rams in the National Rugby Championship during 2015, succeeding Brian Melrose

Early life
Born in Young, New South Wales, Williams played rugby league as a boy. He began rugby union after joining the army at age 17. He played for Young RFC, then moved to Brisbane where he played for Wests Bulldogs.

West Hartlepool, England
Williams moved to England in 1994 and played one season with West Hartlepool.

Australian rugby
On returning to Australia, Williams played Sydney club rugby while remaining on the fringes of the NSW Waratahs team. It wasn't until he changed to the back row that he was able to find enough form to be picked up by Eddie Jones at the ACT Brumbies in 1998. It was his form playing for the Brumbies that led to his selection for the Australian squad for the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Munster & Ireland
After missing Wallabies selection in 2001, Williams accepted a two-year deal with Munster, and soon captained the Irish club. He played 30 Heineken Cup matches for Munster, and scored 15 points. Williams played until 2005 when he was appointed assistant coach.

Wallabies assistant coach
He continued in coaching roles at Munster until 2008 when new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans offered him the Assistant Coach role. At the start of Australia's international rugby season in June 2008 Williams took up his new role alongside fellow assistant Michael Foley. Williams left the Wallabies in 2011.