Williams, 21, has signed a one-year deal with Guinness Premiership club Newcastle Falcons after being released from the final four months of his Rhinos contract.

Tait, who starred for Leeds in the 1990s, is now assistant-coach at Newcastle and Williams said: "He played both codes and he's got a lot of knowledge.

"He's a good person to learn from and he's going to help me a lot.

"It's a good opportunity for me.

"Options were limited at Leeds and I think my time had just run out.

"I just felt like a change. That option came up and I had a word with a few friends about it.

"People who've played the game said they've really enjoyed it and Newcastle are a good team. It'll be good to play with Jonny Wilkinson, he's an outstanding player, but the team as a whole should be good."

Williams added: "I've not really played union before, but I do watch it quite a bit and I have taken an interest in it.

"That's one of the main reasons why I've chosen to go. It's an interesting sport which I'd love to play."

Several league converts – most notably Leeds-born Jason Robinson – have gone on to gain England honours in union.

"I've not really thought about anything like that," said Williams. "I just want to settle down quickly, get quite a few games in the first team and see how I go from there."

After scoring 12 tries in 15 senior appearances in 2006, Williams failed to break into the Leeds first team last year, but was a member of Castleford Tigers' National One Grand Final winning side during a loan spell at the Jungle.

Williams, inset, – who also had a loan stint at Hull earlier this year – made three substitute appearances for Rhinos in 2008, but failed to command a regular place.

He said: "It's frustrating when you get in and you feel like you've done okay, but you don't get in the week after.

"But there's a lot of good players at Leeds and it's tough to keep a spot, it's like a fight every week for a place.

"I've supported Leeds since I was young and it was a dream come true to play for them in 2006, when I made my debut – and it's been a dream ever since.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Leeds, I've got a lot of good friends at Leeds and I'll keep in touch with them.

"I'm sad to be going, but it's a new start and I am looking forward to it."

Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "Danny has always done his best for the Rhinos and he leaves with our very best wishes."

Tait described Williams as "extremely tough, very physical in contact and an outstanding finisher".

He added: "His size and pace will be real assets for us and what has impressed me a lot is the hunger he has to make a success of switching to rugby union.

"He has come through a really tough, competitive environment at Leeds Rhinos, done well on loan at Hull and Castleford and there were a host of Super League teams after him."