Giant 132kg England prop tired of 'Championship player' tag
Harry Williams insists Exeter Chiefs can ill afford to dwell on the disappointment of defeat in May’s Premiership Final against Saracens.
Instead, the 6’4, 132kg England international believes he and his team-mates must instead use that loss as ‘fuel to the fire’ as the Devon club look ahead to the new 2018/19 campaign.
The new season kicks-off in less than a month on September 1 against Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park and the 26-year-old is aiming to be part and parcel of Rob Baxter’s mix as they look to wrestle back their title crown from the Londoners.
“Last season has been parked,” said Williams. “Whenever you lose big games, especially finals, it’s always going to hurt, both individually and collectively. That said, you can’t dwell on the past, instead you’ve got to use it as fuel to the fire and push on and improve.
“We’ve talked in pre-season a lot about what we want to do and how we’ll go about it, but now it’s down to all of us to follow that through. Ultimately, we want to improve as individuals, but we also want to be a top team in England and in Europe.”
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Unlike many of his Exeter team-mates, Williams is a number of weeks behind in terms of pre-season preparations, having been part of Eddie Jones’ England squad that toured South Africa.
The talented tight-head featured in all three Test matches, which the Springboks won 2-1, and was encouraged by how he performed having sat out the latter part of last season due to injury.
“Obviously we were disappointed to lose the tour, but personally I felt I went alright,” he added. “Personally, I was happy to just get back out there and playing rugby again. There’s always stuff to work on, but I did a few good actions and I felt I came back in good order.”
Williams was joined on the tour by club-mates Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds, Alec Hepburn and Jonny Hill, all of whom are also working their way up to full fitness ahead of the new season.
“We’ve all been eased in nicely over the last few weeks, but as the season gets closer I’m sure things will start to ramp up a fair bit as we get closer to the start of the league,” said Williams.
However, watching on closely, the former Jersey prop says he’s encouraged by what he has seen of his Chiefs team-mates so far this pre-season. Although the real action starts next week with pre-season fixtures against the Cornish Pirates and Cardiff Blues on successive days.
“I think if you went into any club, they’d all say things are going well and looking good at the moment,” said Williams. “This is when everyone is training hard, getting themselves in good nick and generally getting ready for the new season.
“The real test, I believe, is when it’s dark, cold and wet, that’s when you have to dig in and put in a decent string of games. Right now, it’s easy to be motivated, but that will only get you so far. It’s that discipline and willingness to work that will carry you on further.
“Having been here a few years now, I know how hard the guys here are willing to work. Personally, I’m probably more motivated now than when I first arrived at the club, simply because I feel I can have a real positive effect on the team.
“At that time, it was all new to me, but over the last three years we’ve all improved, both as individuals and as a team, and has some great experiences along the way. As players you want to be playing at the top level and in the big games and the way to do that is by being consistent and focusing fully on your game.”
Indeed, it’s been a remarkable rise for Williams, who arrived in the summer of 2015 having spent the season before with Championship side Jersey. In his three years in Devon, not only has he established himself as a key cog in Exeter’s front-row, but his on-field displays have, quite rightly, seen him rewarded with international honours.
Having made his England debut on the summer tour to Argentina in 2017, he has seen gone on to win 10 Test caps.
Some observers, however, still feel Williams is a relative rookie on the big stage, a claim quickly dispelled by the likeable Londoner.
“I think I’ll have to get a testimonial here before people stop referring to me as a Championship player,” he said. “I’ve been here three years now and I think that’s about time to say the apprenticeship is over.
“Yes, I’m proud to have said I’ve come up through the ranks of the Championship to playing international rugby – and it’s definitely made me better as a player and a person. Now, I want to push on. I don’t want it to be a cape I have to wear in my career.
“As I said, looking around the squad, everyone looks strong and you can see there is real competition amongst the guys. At the same time, I think we can go into this new season with a real, fresh approach and that you’ll see a new and improved Exeter Chiefs, which is exactly what we want to do.”
Source: Premiership Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments