Williams aiming to end his long wait for Wales call-up
IT’S been a long wait for Rhodri Williams – six-and-a-half years to be precise.
But he’s hoping the waiting might finally be about to come to an end.
It was back in March 2014 that the scrum-half, then at Scarlets, won the last of his three caps for Wales – a try-scoring cameo off the bench in the 51-3 demolition of Scotland.
The fact the likes of Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Luke Charteris, Sam Warburton, James Hook and Paul James – all now retired – were on duty alongside him indicates just how much water has flown under the bridge since then.
Williams was just 20 at the time. International honours had come at such a young age for him, with his debut having been against Tonga the previous November.
But as quickly as his star had risen, so it dipped.
He went on the 2014 summer tour of South Africa, but wasn’t involved in the Tests, with Gareth Davies preferred as the scrum-half back-up to Phillips.
After that, he gradually slipped down the pecking order, with Davies, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams, Aled Davies and Tomos Williams jumping ahead of him.
A move to Bristol in 2016 proved enjoyable on the rugby front, but it meant he was somewhat out of the selectors’ eyes.
So, two years ago, he opted to return to Wales, joining the Dragons.
It was a decision based heavily on his international ambitions, as extending his stay in the west country would have ruled him out under the 60-cap rule.
It was a bold move, but his hope is that it may be about to pay off.
With Tomos Williams injured and Aled Davies ineligible after joining Saracens, Wales are looking
for a third scrum-half for the hectic autumn campaign alongside Gareth Davies and Webb, with the squad to be announced on Tuesday.
Rhodri Williams is very much a contender, along with Scarlets No.9 Kieran Hardy, Lloyd Williams and dual-qualified Harry Randall.
Now 27, Williams is able to reflect with hindsight on that first youthful spell with Wales.
“It does feel like a long time when you look back,” he said.
“Obviously, I was disappointed I haven’t made a squad since.
“But that’s professional rugby for you. It’s a rollercoaster.
“There is a lot of talk with the squad announcement coming up and with Tomos being injured.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for a call-up and working towards that because it’s a massive aim of mine.
“You have just got to get your performances right. If you do that, then hopefully you deserve a call up, so I have just got to keep concentrating on that.”
Williams captains Dragons in their opening match of the new Guinness PRO14 season away at champions Leinster tonight (8.15pm).
“They are going to be a wounded beast after their defeat to Saracens in Europe,” acknowledged Williams.
“But we are going to have to go there some time in the year, so we