While Wales’ Championship-concluding defeat at home to Scotland somewhat summed up a disappointing campaign, there was at least cause for celebration for recalled scrum-half Lloyd Williams.
After making his Test debut against Argentina nine years ago, the Cardiff Blues star played an integral role in Wales’ 2012 Grand Slam win as well as their successful title defence a year later, making seven replacement appearances across the two Championships.
But after 28 appearances – and having been involved at both the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups – Williams fell out of favour with the national team in 2016, only to be brought in as cover for the injured Rhys Webb towards the end of this year’s Championship.
Williams enjoyed eight minutes of action as a late replacement for Gareth Davies as Wales were beaten 14-10 at Parc y Scarlets, and he insists he never lost faith of a return to the top level.
Following their fifth-place finish in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations standings, Wayne Pivac’s men are itching to return to winning ways at this month’s Autumn Nations Cup, and Williams is eager to make up for lost time by firing his side to glory.
“It was a slightly unexpected call from the Welsh selectors,” the 30-year-old said. “It was a bit out of the blue, but it was great to join up with the squad and everyone was very welcoming.
“There are a lot of boys I knew before who are still in the Welsh squad, but there are also a few new faces. Everyone is really positive and, on the whole, things are quite similar to when I was in the squad before.
“I’d never given up hope of playing for Wales again. It was always a goal of mine and will be as long as I am playing.
“Things at the Blues are going well and with Rhys [Webb] getting injured the door opened for me to come back in. Now I’m just looking to improve on that and carry things on, and it would be great to get a few more caps.”
