Wales dream back for Williams after 10-year break

Rhodri Williams has played 118 games for Dragons since arriving from Bristol in 2018

Even Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams wondered whether his dream of a Wales recall had vanished.

It had been more than 10 years since he had last featured on the international stage after scoring in his third cap against Scotland during the 51-3 Six Nations win in Cardiff in March 2014.

Williams was just 20 but the closest he came to another cap was being an unused replacement against Fiji later that year.

Now a decade on, Williams was one of the surprise names in Warren Gatland's 35-man Wales squad for next month's matches against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

After being recalled from the international wilderness, the 31-year-old admits he had been beginning to think his Wales days were over.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a part of me that felt it might have gone now that I am a bit older," said Williams.

"I like having targets to push for but there was definitely a part of me that felt the ship had sailed, but now I am over the moon to have another go.

"I am still trying to get my head around it. I haven't hidden the fact it has always been an ambition to get back in, so I am now both excited and nervous."

Williams has since spoken to Wales assistant coach Rob Howley following the announcement but revealed he missed the initial email telling him he was in the squad.

"I was quite shocked," said Williams.

"The email came through just before the announcement but I wasn't checking my phone.

"I went straight into a meeting like a normal day and Dai Flanagan [Dragons head coach] said 'we have got four boys in' and I was one of them. It was a big shock.

"By then it was already out in the media and the phone had started going from family and friends."

Williams has actually had to change his plans after initially booking a family trip and is scheduled to meet up with the squad next Monday after Dragons' United Rugby Championship (URC) trip to face Connacht.

"I was meant to be having time off and I had booked Alton Towers with the little one and the family," said Williams.

"My wife has been 100% supportive and these things do pop up as a rugby player."

History boy

Rhodri Williams and Liam Williams were both Scarlets players when they played for Wales against Scotland in March 2014

If Williams takes to the field in any of next month’s Tests, it will set a new record for the longest gap between appearances for Wales.

The existing record was established by Newport hooker Bunner Travers who gained his eighth cap against Ireland in March 1939 and his ninth versus England in January 1949. Williams would surpass that by 10 months.

As a footnote, the all-time record holder is New Zealand’s Ned Hughes who remarkably went from 1908 to 1921 between caps.

Williams recalled his last international experience and believes he has matured as a player in the intervening years.

"That was a special day, coming off the bench and the boys were doing really well," said Williams.

"I managed to get on the end of a kick to score. Those are fond memories and fingers crossed I can push for another opportunity.

"There has been a lot of rugby played since then, with a lot more experience. I feel I am in a good place."

Williams, who started his professional career with Scarlets, has been named alongside Gloucester's scrum-half Tomos Williams and Cardiff number nine Ellis Bevan.

He will have benefitted from the decision of Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies to retire from international rugby and has been preferred to younger Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Kieran Hardy.

Williams is one of four Dragons players in the squad alongside Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter and Rio Dyer.

"We are chuffed to bits for Rhodri," said Flanagan.

"He is an international quality nine and has put in the hard work, been patient and diligent with how he has prepared and performed.

"It's always been his ambition to get back in the Wales squad and it's our job to give players the best possible chance to get in."

Flanagan believes the selection is reward for Williams' consistent form since he joined the side from Bristol.

"He has kept knocking away and has been excellent, he has been one of our best players for a couple of years," said Flanagan.

"He came to the Dragons with an ambition to play a lot of rugby and he has had competition whether it's been from Gonzalo Bertranou or Dane Blacker."