Wales star Liam Williams blocking "internet trolls" after agreeing to join local rivals

Combating social media criticism has come to be part and parcel with most careers as a high-profile athlete, something of which Wales full-back Liam Williams has come to be fully aware.

The two-time British and Irish Lions tourist was exposed to the tribalism that separates Wales' regions when it was announced in early January that he'd be leaving Scarlets for Cardiff this summer.

It marks the second time Williams will depart Parc y Scarlets, having ended his first six-season spell in Llanelli to join Saracens in 2017 before moving back in the opposite direction three years later.

However, injuries and international commitments mean the 30-year-old has played more than twice as many Test matches (15) as he has games for Scarlets (six) since returning to the club.

That led to criticism from some among the Scarlets fan base, particularly as he was set to join a direct rival in Cardiff, who also compete in the United Rugby Championship.

"You always get these internet trolls who sit behind a keyboard," Williams explained.

"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed about it, you always get these. I was there [at Scarlets] for six years before I left the first time and over the past two years not much rugby has been played.

"I'm still with the Scarlets until the end of the season and I'll give 100 per cent down there.

"What can you say? I'll do my best until the end of the season."

It's a tricky predicament for one of Europe's in-form full-backs of the last decade, though Williams is no stranger to online abuse.

The Swansea native became the target of widespread vitriol last year when he was sin-binned for an intentional knock-on late on during Wales' Six Nations defeat to France.

The offence came less than a minute after Taulupe