Scrum half Rhodri Williams is delighted by the prospect of linking up with fly half Sam Davies again this season – and revealed his ambitions to play for Wales burn as brightly as ever as he prepares for a fresh campaign at Dragons.
Williams will return for pre-season in the coming weeks as he looks to build on what he admits was a ‘rollercoaster’ first season at Rodney Parade.
The 26-year-old - who was recently in action for the Barabrians - is eager to see the region build on the epic Judgement Day victory over Scarlets as the Dean Ryan era begins.
And he believes the acquisition of Davies, to add to the other talented fly halves on the books at the region, could prove to be a key signing.
“Sam is a quality player and I played with him with Wales Under-20s and at age-grade,” he said. “Hopefully he can push on with us and fight it out with the other 10s. Competition is always healthy.
“It will be interested to see how it goes this season and what structure Dean Ryan brings in. I look forward to building for the season.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster season,” he added. “Some games I played well and others I didn’t and was not up to my standard.
“I was quite pleased with the way that we finished by beating the Scarlets at Judgement Day, but we’ve got to build on that going into next season.”
Williams was a try-scorer for the Barbarians last weekend as they were edged out by England at Twickenham.
“It was such a privilege to play for a club like this against quality opposition,” he said.
“It wasn’t bad to come on and score a try too - I was just in the right place at the right time to finish it off. When you are playing with world class players things like that can open up.
“When I had the invite I was pleased to play and such an occasion is why we play rugby.
“It’s just about enjoying your rugby, playing with smiles on faces and with a different group, freshening things up.”
And he admits mixing it with international talent has only underlined his determination to continue pushing for future Wales honours.
“I won’t give up,” he stressed. “You never give up as a player because it’s a massive ambition of mine.
“I will keep my head down, keep working through pre-season and see what happens.”
It will be interested to see how it goes this season and what structure Dean Ryan brings in. I look forward to building for the season...
