Williams relishing his new licence to attack

LLOYD Williams believes his new-found running game can fire Cardiff Blues to the PRO14 play-offs.

The 29-year-old scrumhalf has always been known for his fine tactical work and his left-foot boxkicks are one of the main features of his game.

But this season the 28cap Wales international has become far more of a threat with ball in hand having been encouraged to go to the next level by new head coach John Mulvihill.

“I’ve been working really hard on my running game and I’d like to do more of it,” he told The Rugby Paper. “I started playing rugby as a kid so that I could run with the ball in my hands. It’s a part of my game I want to improve on, but it’s about having the licence to do it.

“Hopefully that can help the team. I’m getting a lot of rugby which I’m pleased with and I want it to continue. The competition between me and Tomos Williams pushes us both.”

Blues sit fifth in Conference A of the PRO14, two points adrift of the play-off places but Williams is confident his side are good enough to beat both Connacht and the Ospreys to the final play-off spot. That would seal Champions Cup qualification for a second straight year.

Williams said: “We are confident we can make the play-offs. We feel we can win our remaining matches if we are playing well. At the start of the season we were a bit inconsistent but we are in a good place now to now do well.”