Peter Williams
English rugby union and rugby league footballer
About Peter Williams
Born 1958. Peter Williams is a British rugby league player and rugby union player.
Peter Nicholas Williams (born 14 December 1958) is an English-born former dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played representative level rugby union for England and Lancashire, and at club level for Orrell R.U.F.C., as a Fly-half and representative level rugby league for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Salford, as a .
Background Peter Williams was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, and attended Upholland Grammar School. His father, Roy Williams, was a prop forward who played rugby union for Llanelli RFC and rugby league for Wigan, and later became a solicitor after finishing his playing career.
He worked as a physical education and history teacher, but later re-trained to become a physiotherapist when he began playing rugby league. He went on to represent Lancashire in the County Championship, and played in the 1979β80 and 1981β82 Championship finals. He won caps for England while at Orrell in the 1987 Five Nations Championship against Scotland and in the 1987 Rugby World Cup against Australia, Japan, and Wales.
In 1996, Williams returned to Orrell as director of rugby. He resigned in April 1997. He then spent two years as an assistant coach at Wigan,
Rugby league career Salford In March 1988, Williams switched codes to join rugby league club Salford.
Williams played (replaced by substitute Ian Blease) in Salford's 17β22 defeat by Wigan in the 1988 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1988β89 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 23 October 1988. and played left- and scored a try in the 18β24 defeat by Widnes in the 1990 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1990β91 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 September 1990.
He retired at the end of the 1993β94 season.
International career Williams won two caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Salford in 1989 against France (2 matches). He also played for Wales in 1992 while at Salford. He is sometimes credited as the first person to play rugby union for England and rugby league for Wales, but this was first done by Thomas Woods in the 1920s.
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Important facts
People in Peter Williams's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Peter Williams's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Peter Williams?
English rugby union and rugby league footballer
When was Peter Williams born?
Peter Williams was born on 14 December 1958 in Wigan.
What is Peter Williams's occupation?
Peter Williams is a rugby league player and rugby union player.
What nationality is Peter Williams?
Peter Williams is British.
Sources & further reading
Β· DBpedia: Peter Williams (rugby, born 1958)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Peter Williams. https://biography.guide/peter-williams-rugby-league-player/
MLA: "Peter Williams." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/peter-williams-rugby-league-player/.
Chicago: "Peter Williams." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/peter-williams-rugby-league-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 Β· Spot an error? Report a correction.
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