60-cap rule a key factor to staying in Wales –Williams
LLOYD Williams has committed his future to Cardiff Blues and says the new 60-cap rule was a key factor in his decision to remain in Wales.
The international scrum-half was targeted by clubs in England, as well being linked with a possible move to the Scarlets.
But taking the revised selection policy into account, he opted to stay in Wales and his prefered choice then was sticking with the Blues.
Under the new rule, players who move outside of the country can only continue their Test careers if they have won 60 caps.
And with 28 caps to his name, Williams is some way short of that figure, so dismissed any idea of heading across the border.
“My ambition is still to play for Wales, that’s a goal of mine,” said the 28-year-old. “Obviously, this new law is in. “You always have to keep your options open and if that rule hadn’t come in, I am sure there could have been other things to take into account.
“But it has come in. They are pretty set on it to try and keep all the best players in Wales.
“There were other options, but it wasn’t really too far down the line with any of them.
“I was speaking to a few others, but I wanted to remain in Wales.
“And it was always the case that if I was staying in Wales, I would want to stay here at the Cardiff Blues.
“There were a lot of things coming into it, but first and foremost it was about trying to stay at the club.”
Williams admits the fact that no replacement has yet been announced for departing head coach Danny Wilson was a factor in his deliberations.
“It was a concern and that’s maybe why things took a while,” he said.
“But, ultimately, it was a case of who I am going to be playing alongside, not for.
“It is always great to have a good coach here, but you are on the field with players you want to be with. That’s a big thing for me, a big factor.
“I have got a lot of people I trust and rate very highly here. I have got some of my best mates alongside me.
“When I took a step back and thought that, ultimately, I am with those lads, that’s what it came down to and things kicked on a bit quicker then.
“I managed to get over the line the other day and I’m pleased it’s been done.
“At this point in time, it’s the best thing for me and I am happy here at the club.”
On Wilson’s successor, he said: “I am sure the right people are making the right decisions about who is coming in and going to get appointed.
“I think we are all trusting of that and hopefully it will be a great addition for us and we can move on again.”
Williams – the son of Wales and Lions scrum-half Brynmor – has made 151 appearances for the Blues since making his debut against Leinster in March 2010.
“I have seen a lot of things here, unfortunately and fortunately,” he said.
“We have had our ups and downs, but that’s part and parcel of professional rugby.
“There have been a few stumbling blocks along the way, but we are going to try and push things on in years to come.
“I feel there is a lot of optimism around the club.
“We have got a great crop of youngsters coming through, which is really good.
“It’s the capital region, it’s brilliantly located and the most important thing is the people in the building.
“I really want to kick on here now. I want to look towards the future and have a real good rest of the season.”
On that front, next up for Williams and the Blues is Saturday’s European Challenge Cup clash with Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium.
“It’s a big game. We are in pole position in the group at the moment after winning our first two games and we want to stay there,” he said.
“We will definitely be right up for it.”