Rhys pleased to be a Devil again
Arriving with an injury isn’t ideal, but fortunately I know Watto from a long time ago
Rhys Williams
HE made his 250th career appearance on Friday night at St Helens, but it was not the first time Rhys Williams had played for Salford.
The Wales international winger spent a month on loan at the club in 2013 and had no hesitation about returning to the AJ Bell Stadium for 2020, despite the fact there have been huge changes at the Red Devils in the intervening years.
“It’s a lot more organised now,” said Williams. “The whole structure has changed.
“When I first came, Marwan [Koukash] had just come in and there was a lot of uncertainty around – plus I was only here for a month.
“There were a lot of great people, it was just a strange time for the club.” The 30-year-old knew he would leave London Broncos at the end of last season after six years in the capital as he wanted to be closer to his family in Wales.
But when he agreed to sign for former international team-mate Ian Watson, he had no idea that Salford would be running out at Old Trafford in October – or that there would be such strong depth to the playing group for 2020.
Despite an injurydelayed pre-season, Williams impressed in his friendly appearances and earned a spot on the wing for the Round One clash with St Helens.
“I signed fairly early on, so I didn’t really know what the squad was going to look like,” said Williams. “Obviously, to make the Grand Final and the two wingers from then to still be here, I had to turn up with the attitude that I needed to work hard. “Arriving with an injury isn’t ideal, but fortunately I know Watto from a long time ago and he knows that I like to work hard – I did everything I could with my rehab and managed to get back early, get a few weeks in training and then just tried to put my best foot forward to get on the squad list.”
As he agreed the switch long before Salford booked their spot in last year’s Grand Final, Williams said it was the chance to work under Watson that was the biggest draw.
“Watto is a person I want to work hard for,” he explained. “[London coach] Danny Ward was the same.
“That’s why I wanted to come to another team where I know I’ve got a good coach, a good person and a team that works hard. It all just made sense.
“Ian is straightforward and the last few years, Wardy, Hendo [Andrew Henderson] and [Wales coach] John Kear, they’ve all been the same.
“They all work hard, are meticulous and make things easier for players.
“You’re not being told exactly what to do, but you’re working hard and getting the right guidance, so you’re more likely to make the right decisions.”