Price leaves 'big shoes' to fill - Williams

Jim Williams beat Ricky Evans 8-6 to win Players Championship Six in 2022

Jim Williams says compatriot Gerwyn Price leaves "big shoes" to fill after getting a late call up to replace the former world champion in Wales team at the 2024 World Cup of Darts.

World number four Price has been ruled out of this weekend's event in Germany, leaving Williams to link up with Jonny Clayton to try and retain the title Price and Clayton won in 2023.

Williams, 39, is ranked 44th in the Professional Darts Corporation's [PDC] order of merit and fits darts around his full-time carpentry business.

"It's happened all quite fast, I was at work and had a phone call and it was confirmed at about 10 o'clock in the morning," said Williams.

"It is a real shame with Gerwyn but it's a big opening for me.

"'It's going to be tough - and tough for Jonny too - because those two have played so well together, but to try and fill Gerwyn's shoes is a big one really. Is there anyone who can do that? I don't know.

"Trying to fill Gezzy's boots, the expectation on that is tough.

"Gezzy is cool, I know he'd want us to do well, a really nice guy. I'm honestly gutted he's not going but he genuinely is a good guy and I'm sure he wishes us the best."

Wales are one of four countries seeded through to the second round which starts on Saturday, 29 June following two days of group matches to select 12 other teams for the last 16.

'Massive' honour

Williams has represented Wales before, under the rival World Darts Federation [WDF] governing body but says teaming up with world number 10 Clayton in the PDC World Cup will be one of his proudest achievements.

"It's massive. I made my debut for Wales 12 years ago and it feels the same everytime you put it on [Welsh shirt], there's that little extra representing your country but it's fantastic to be able to do it.

"It is a different game [to singles] but I've about 50 caps for Wales so I've done it before.

"I've played lots of pairs tournaments but not at international level so that'll be new."

Wales also won the World Cup in 2020 with Price and former plasterer Clayton - who won the Masters, World Grand Prix and World Series Finals in 2021, but has not won an individual title since May 2023.

"Jonny's awesome, I've probably known him twenty years, we get on great, a really nice guy. He's very similar to me I think, so it shouldn't be a problem," said Williams.

"Jonny will be fine, he's won it twice. It's different for me, it's my debut.

"He's been playing well the last few months to be fair to him, he's had a bit of a tough time and sometimes darts isn't your main priority but he is genuinely a world class player and he can turn it on at anytime. I have no worry about what he's going to do, it's more how I'm going to play."

Williams expects vocal support from Welsh fans in the venue in Frankfurt and wants to make up for Wales' absence in Germany for the European Football Championship.

"At least we are in it," added Williams.

"But we'll give it a good show. It's a pity about the football, hopefully we're a bit better at darts than at football".