Milestone man Williams set to make Welsh rugby history

Rhodri Williams. www.inpho.ie

Having just reached a major career milestone, Rhodri Williams is now on course to make Welsh rugby history.

The Dragons RFC scrumhalf made his 150th league appearance in last Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton Rugby at Rodney Parade.

That was followed a couple of days later by his inclusion in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the autumn internationals against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

It means he is now set to return to the Test arena after a gap of more than 10 years.

He won the last of his three caps as a try-scoring replacement off the bench against Scotland at the Principality Stadium in March 2014 when he was a Scarlets player.

So, if he takes to the field in any of next month’s Tests, it will set a new record for the longest gap between appearances for Wales.

The existing record was established by Newport hooker Bunner Travers who gained his eighth cap against Ireland in March 1939 and his ninth versus England in January 1949.

Williams would surpass that by some 10 months.

As a footnote, the all-time record holder is New Zealand’s Ned Hughes who remarkably went from 1908 to 1921 between caps.

Williams was actually recalled by Wales in June 2021 but a shoulder injury kept him out of the summer Tests against Canada and Argentina, while a further call-up during the following year’s Six Nations didn’t see him get on the field.

But now he looks odds on to finally end his long absence from the Test arena, with Gatland full of praise for his performances this season.

“We’ve been really impressed with how he’s been playing with tempo,” said the Kiwi coach.

“He’s scoring tries, running good support lines, he’s got good experience. He deserves the opportunity. It’s a reward for showing leadership."

As for Williams himself, he says: “It was a long time ago I won my first Wales cap. I do feel like a different player now.

“Naturally you have more of a leadership role as you get older and I quite enjoy that.

“So there is a slight difference with age but I didn’t want to lose the natural attributes I had. There are times where you get older and you start thinking too much rather than just backing your instinct.

“I do feel like I back my instinct. If you see a gap, don’t hesitate, just go for it.”

The Swansea-born scrumhalf - who made his Wales debut against Tonga in November 2013 - is now 31 but arguably in the form of his life.

“The boys remind me all the time how old I am!” he quips.

“But I still feel good. To be fair, we have a very good physio department here at the Dragons and they have looked after me well over the last few years, so the body is in a good place and I’m just excited to keep going.

“I am really enjoying my rugby.”

As for his recent league landmark, he says: “I didn’t realise it was coming up, to be honest with you.

“I remember my 100th was just after Covid, so I feel like the 150 has come around quite quickly. I’m quite proud to do it.”

Williams has been with the Dragons since 2018, following on from five years at the Scarlets and two seasons with Bristol. He has made 118 appearances for the Men of Gwent in all, scoring 21 tries and captaining the region from 2020-22.

“I love it here. I think it’s a great place to be playing,” he says.

“It’s the club I have played for the most.

“There have been some difficult times, you can’t shy away from that, but I’ve got plenty of fond memories and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

“The fans are always there on the terraces shouting us on.

It’s a great club to be part of.”

He added: “Rugby is a rollercoaster but I’ve not got one regret in my career at all, the decisions I’ve made, the clubs I’ve gone to. There isn’t a huge amount I would change.

“My message to anyone starting out would be just enjoy your rugby and don’t get too bogged down with it.”

Before he joins up with Wales, Williams has a trip to Galway to attend to, with the Dragons away to Connacht Rugby on Saturday evening.

Commenting on the call-up for his scrumhalf, coach Dai Flanagan said: “We are chuffed to bits for Rhodri. He is an international quality nine and has put in the hard work and been patient and diligent with how he has prepared and performed.

“It’s always been his ambition to get back in the Wales squad and it’s our job to give players the best possible chance to get in.

“He has kept knocking away and been excellent. He has been one of our best players for a couple of years.”

Connacht v Dragons RFC

Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA & SA

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 33rd league game)

AR 1: Dan Carson (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Live on: TG4, S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv