Rhodri Williams: I was starting to give up on Wales recall

The 31-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the Wales squad for the autumn internationals, a result of good form in the first block of the United Rugby Championship and the Test retirement of Gareth Davies.

Williams is already an international but the last of his three caps were won against Scotland in 2014, when he scored a try in the Six Nations win at Principality Stadium.

Then with the Scarlets, he moved to Bristol in 2016 before returning to Wales with the Dragons in 2018, in part to push for more caps.

Williams was called up in 2021 and 2022 but remains on three.

That meant that Monday’s squad announcement wasn’t on his radar until Dai Flanagan broke the news in a team meeting.

INFLUENTIAL: Rhodri Williams has been in fine form for the Dragons (Image: Gareth Everett)

“I was quite shocked. The email came through just before the announcement but I wasn’t checking my phone,” said Williams about Warren Gatland’s call-up.

“I went straight into a meeting like a normal day and Dai said ‘we have got four boys in’ and I was one of them. It was a big shock.

“By then it was already out in the media – it was about 2.20pm when I found out! The phone had started going from family and friends.

“I am still trying to get my head around it. I haven’t hidden the fact that it has always been an ambition to get back in so I am now both excited and nervous.”

Williams, an ever-present for the Dragons this season, had a target of Test rugby but CBeebies Land was more of a prospect than Principality Stadium in the URC break.

“I was meant to be having time off and I had booked Alton Towers with the little one and the family! The wife has been 100 per cent supportive and these things do pop up as a rugby player,” he said.

Williams was seen as having an outside chance, even after Davies’ retirement.

He has been a consistent performer for the Dragons since heading over from Bristol but aged 31 thought that Wales would look to an up-and-coming scrum-half.

RECALL: Rhodri Williams' last cap was against Scotland in the 2014 Six Nations (Image: Newsquest)

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a part of me that felt it might have gone now that I am a bit older,” he admitted.

“I like having targets to push for but there was definitely a part of me that felt the ship had sailed, but now I am over the moon to have another go.”

Rhodri Williams joins in-form Tomos Williams, who has started life at Gloucester in sparkling form after his move from Cardiff, and three-times capped Blue and Blacks prospect Ellis Bevan in the squad.

After facing Connacht in Galway on Saturday night, the Dragons man will link up with his Test teammates with the aim of facing Fiji in the 23.

If he earns selection this autumn then it will come 10 years and seven months after he scored the eighth try of the 2014 hammering of the Scots.

“I was 20 at the time and there has been a lot of rugby played since then, and I have a lot more experience,” he said.

“That was a special day, coming off the bench and the boys were doing really well. I managed to get on the end of a kick to score.

“Those are fond memories and fingers crossed I can put my best foot forward to push for another opportunity.

“We meet up on Monday and I will try to put myself in the best possible spot to earn a chance again.”