WILLIAMS REFLECTS ON A WHIRLWIND SUMMER
had embarked on a course that was going to end in tears, only for the self-styled professional bomb defuser to suddenly turn right at breakneck pace and leave two defenders clutching thin air.
It was heavenly rugby, embellished by Jonathan Davies and Elliot Daly combining down the left wing before the tireless O’Brien dived over having tracked play over 80 metres.
What on earth was Williams thinking when he received that pass from Watson?
“I had been calling to smack it long,” said Williams.
“When the ball came to be I shaped as if to kick but just felt I could step Kieran Read as he was running so fast and after that it was just about trying to make ground.
“All I could hear were screams advising me what to do.
“Once I was past Read, I thought I’d have a go and everything then fell into place.
“Foxy (Jonathan Davies) and Elliot were brilliant down the left and Sean did superbly to keep up with play and claim the score.”
The trip gave Williams the chance to get to know players from other countries whom he had previously only played against, with war paint being sported on both sides.
“That’s what makes the Lions such a great experience,” he said.
“It’s only for six or so weeks but you make friendships and I can honestly say everyone got on brilliantly. I shared rooms with Anthony Watson, Foxy, Leigh Halfpenny and Jack Nowell and all of them are top blokes.
“It was good for me to get to know some of the Saracens boys before I start training with the club.
“Maro Itoje had a great trip and is a great player and an even better bloke off the pitch.”
Williams was drawn to Saracens partly as it would allow him to be closer to his partner, Sophie Harries, and he has wasted little time settling in ahead of linking with the London club. “It’s all going well,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy being apart, but it’s sorted now and it’s good where we are living. There’s so much to do here, some great restaurants and places to go.
“I’m really looking forward to starting with Saracens.
“They are a club who have been going well for a number of seasons and my first goal will be to see if I can add a bit.”
He may be living amid the bright lights of London these days, but Waunarlwydd product Williams isn’t about to forget his roots and in particular he will keep an eye out for the results of the region he has just left.
“I loved every minute I spent with the Scarlets,” he said.
“They are a great club, on and off the field, and it was a pleasure to play for them.
“I think they will go from strength to strength.
“They have a hell of a backline, with the likes of Foxy and Steff Evans, and if Leigh Halfpenny joins that will help things again.
“It is hard to achieve back-to-back titles, but there is no reason why they can’t have a real crack this year. They have excellent players and coaches.”
Last question: has he set his heart on playing at full-back for Wales this coming season?
He swerves it as skilfully as he went past Kieran Read in Auckland.
“I love playing at No. 15, but that’s been the case throughout my career,” he said.
“The main thing for me is to be in the Wales team. “What will be will be.” With that, the interview is over. The season in England will present different challenges for Williams.
But he will present different challenges for defences.
Ask the All Blacks.