The signing of Williams and the arrival of his Toronto side in the top flight has electrified rugby league in the UK, with the tournament being labelled as the most exciting ever, with several big names featuring in the 2020 competition.

Wigan and Warrington kick-off the season on Thursday with Williams in line to make his debut for Toronto on Sunday, February 2 against Castleford.

Williams rubbed shoulders with many former teammates and NRL rivals at the season launch in Leeds on Friday with the likes of former Sydney Roosters James Maloney and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, George Burgess and Gareth Widdop among the players present.

Williams and Maloney, who has signed for French side Catalans, jousted playfully on stage at a packed press conference with the former NSW playmaker teasing the New Zealander about his $5million contract.

"I remember the last time he left he said he'd never come back to league because in rugby he can make seven tackles and that's in a big game," Maloney said.

"Now he's got to come back, play in the back-row, make 15 hit-ups and 25 tackles but I guess when that kind of pay cheque is thrown at you forget about all that contact."

Williams maintains he's grateful at 34 to still be in a position to play at a high level, after five years in the 15-man code with the All Blacks.

"I am just really excited to come back to the game I grew up playing," Williams said.

"I feel in tip-top shape and ready to go and I am just excited to get amongst it, especially against Catalans when I can run at Jimmy."

Williams admits his new side will not see the best of him at the start of the season but said the residual knowledge of his return to league with the Roosters in 2013 will stand him in good stead.

"I know I will be rusty coming back," he said.

"I am just training to build my season on hard work and then as it progresses hopefully I can sprinkle a bit of my magic on the team."

Burgess will play without his brothers Sam, Luke and twin Tom for the first time after leaving South Sydney to join Wigan and is looking forward to being his own man.

"It's nice in a way to break away and forge my own path and create your own identity in the squad," Burgess said.

"That's been a first for me.

"It was like the first day at school, meeting your new friends and I have enjoyed that."

Australian Associated Press