The former Wales international will play in the third tier of French rugbyOwen Williams has left the Ospreys for France(Image: Gruffydd Thomas/Huw Evans Agency)

Former Wales playmaker Owen Williams is one of 20 players who have been announced as new signings for ambitious French outfit Nissa Rugby.

Nissa Rugby suffered relegation from PRO D2 last season – the second tier of French rugby – when they were known as Stade Nicois.

They will play this season in the Championnat Fédéral Nationale and have rebranded as Nissa Rugby.

In a bid to win promotion back into PRO D2 at the first time of asking the Nice-based club have been on an aggressive recruitment drive under wealthy president Jean-Baptiste Aldigé. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

The 33-year-old Williams, who has won 10 caps for Wales, joins from the Ospreys while the club also have two Welshmen in the coaching team.

Former Dragons attack coach Barry Maddocks has come on board along with Gareth Baber, who is a former Cardiff coach.

They have also signed Fijian centre Waisea Nayacalevu who had signed for the Ospreys last season but the Welsh club cancelled his contract before he had played a single game.

Following their relegation from PRO D2 27 players have left the club. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free

Owen Williams (centre) pictured playing for Wales in 2023(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

Williams will be a key signing for the ambitious French club with the former Scarlets, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Ospreys man bringing a load of experience.

The 33-year-old is an outstanding goal kicker and an excellent tactician who will bring experience and control.

Williams is also a very good playmaker with peripheral vision who tends to get the best out of his outside backs. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.

There are a handful of Welsh players in France, including Sam Davies at Grenoble and Owen Lane who is at Valance Romans in PRO D2.

With the Welsh Rugby Union looking to cut from four to two professional clubs in the near future there are likely to be more Welsh players headed for France.

Each club is limited on the number of overseas-based players but while most people focus on the Top 14 there are opportunities in PRO D2 and the divisions below.