George Williams highlights three players who have inspired him the most

From winning Super League titles to playing in the NRL and captaining his country at a World Cup – there isn’t much George Williams hasn’t achieved in the game.

The 28-year-old burst onto the scene in 2013 with hometown club Wigan. His impressive displays saw him earn Wigan’s iconic number six jersey ahead of the 2015 campaign, the number previously worn by his hero Trent Barrett.

Williams went on to win two Super League titles and a World Club Challenge with the Warriors, making almost 200 appearances for his boyhood club in the process.

The Wiganer wanted to test himself in the NRL, so he joined Canberra in 2020. The England international took the NRL by storm before Covid struck and he returned home 18 months later.

Williams signed for Warrington upon his return to England, heading into third season with the club in 2023.

He has won 16 caps in total for Great Britain and England, playing in two World Cups.

George Williams lauds legendary trio

Williams picked out three players who have inspired him the most when asked by the Names from the Game podcast…

Sean O’Loughlin

Sean O’Loughlin stands out for me massively. He was the Wigan captain when I was coming through. He was just the ultimate professional and an unreal player. Lockers could do anything and play any position, that’s how good he was. He was just a natural and a good bloke too. He mentored the young kids well.

Waney (Shaun Wane) was massive on culture and environment, Lockers was obviously under Waney as captain but they drove that so well. Waney will probably say it himself but Lockers pushed Waney as well to drive that environment.

On the field he was unbelievable which made people want to listen to what he said because of the career he had. He’s assistant coach at Wigan now and he’ll be brilliant, so he stands out.

Sam Burgess

A massive name in Australia. Them two have both captained England so I’m in good company to say I have as well. He was just a leader that led by his actions. Teams were scared of him, a fierce competitor. His mental preparation for a game and his intensity through everything… You look at him and just go ‘wow’. He had that about him.

Sam Tomkins

The last one is Sam Tomkins. All three of them have captained England, so they have all had good careers. When I was a kid coming through, Sam was unbelievable, nobody could touch him. I’ve come close to Sam, it’s mad how the world works I suppose, but I’m good friends with him now. He’s been really good for me advice-wise, he’s had a successful career and he has gone out of his way to mentor me in some ways. He has been really good to me but I don’t want to just involve that. His playing ability speaks for itself, he has won Man of Steel twice, been to Australia. I reckon 2012-13 when I was at Wigan, he was untouchable, unbelievable.

Click here to listen to the full Names from the Game podcast with George Williams.

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