1
'Watching from a hospital bed': Wales centre's remarkable turnaround after chemotherapy
Johnny Williams’ World Cup dream could become reality on Monday – four years after he watched the last tournament from a hospital bed.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Scarlets centre is among Wales head coach Warren Gatland’s midfield options as he puts the finishing touches to his 33-player squad.
And if Williams makes the final cut it would represent a remarkable achievement, given he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 22 in June 2019.
A four-week course of chemotherapy followed, but Williams was back playing rugby the following year and made his Wales debut against Georgia in November 2020.
“Four years ago, I was watching the World Cup from a hospital bed, so the ability to maybe play at the tournament four years later is hard to sum up in words,” Williams said.
“Every working day has been towards playing for Wales and going to the World Cup ever since I can remember from the age of six-years-old when my dad was bringing me to the stadium to watch Wales.
“It would be hard to sum up, considering where I was four years ago. I have dreamt about one day going to a World Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
“My dad took me to Cardiff to watch the internationals. I just remember that I really wanted to be on the pitch and to play for Wales.
“Hopefully, it will all be topped off on Monday with selection for the World Cup.”
Williams was born in Weston-super-Mare, won England under-20 honours and represented England in a non-cap game against the Barbarians, but a Welsh qualification via his father, who is from Rhyl, signposted a Test career towards Wales.
The World Cup squad will be announced on Monday, meaning an anxious wait for some players before knowing their fate after Wales’ final warm-up Test ended in a 52-16 defeat against South Africa.
“I’ve got a lot of family down staying with me over the weekend. I will just try not to think about it (selection) too much,” Williams added.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I am nervous because everyone wants to book their ticket and get on the plane. We are all ambitious and we all want to represent Wales at a World Cup.
“It will be a big day for everyone, and we will all be keeping our fingers crossed.
“These last 12-13 weeks have been the most enjoyable I have had with Wales. We have got close and we will be supporting each other.
“There are going to be some disappointed people and some very proud people as well. It is about being close as a group.
“Just because someone doesn’t make it won’t mean they cannot be a part of it. There could be injuries and they could be called back into the squad.
“It will be about staying positive, staying in touch and dropping people messages.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder.
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments