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England prospect Johnny Williams reveals cancer diagnosis on Instagram

Johnny Williams

Newcastle Falcons centre Johnny Williams has revealed on Instagram that he has recently finished chemotherapy having been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

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The 22-year-old said that he has faced a “slight bump in the road” but added that the “road is about to get easier from here” after finishing his last batch of chemotherapy. 

However, he does not reveal on the post how long he has been battling cancer. 

The centre, who played for England earlier this year against the Barbarians, also shared photos of himself in hospital alongside his team-mates, whom he thanked amongst others for being “extremely supportive in these circumstances”=.

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Williams is very upbeat in his message, despite what must have been troubling times for him. This was his post: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XWCXIANkw/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

He finished his message by saying: “Here’s to getting back fit and healthy and back on that pitch asap.” 

He has not given a timeframe in which he will return to action for the Falcons, but both he and the team will raring to see him back playing. 

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Newcastle’s Championship season starts this weekend after being relegated from the Premiership last season, and they will be hoping for the former England under-20 international’s services as soon as possible as they seek to bounce back to the top flight. 

Williams also said that this diagnosis was “a huge surprise and out of nowhere but these things always do and there’s no preparing for it”.

He went on to send a warning to all males: “Lads, please make sure you don’t make the same mistake I did. Regularly check your balls and if you find anything out of the ordinary, swelling or firmness be sure to get checked out by your GP straight away.” 

Jamie Roberts sat down with RugbyPass to talk us through his highs and lows playing in the Rugby World Cup.

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M
MA 7 minutes ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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