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'X-factor' Johnny Williams on playing England a year on from scoring a debut try as an Englishman
Johnny Williams scored a try for England at Twickenham last year – but he only has their downfall in his sights on Saturday.
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Born in Weston-super-Mare, but with a “die-hard Welshman” father from Rhyl, the former London Irish and Newcastle centre has proved one of Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup success stories.
Williams might have only played one game so far – a Test debut in pouring rain against Georgia last weekend – but he showed enough to leave Wales head coach Wayne Pivac purring over his “X-factor” quality.
The 24-year-old only returned to professional rugby 10 months ago after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and undergoing chemotherapy in 2019.
That diagnosis came soon after an impressive try-scoring display in a non-cap England outing when Eddie Jones’ men beat the Barbarians.
But he is now back doing what he does best, and relishing a major challenge opposite England’s midfield pairing of Owen Farrell and Henry Slade in Llanelli this weekend.
“It has always been a dream of mine,” Williams said.
“These England versus Wales games have definitely been the reason why I wanted to be on the pitch when I was watching at the Principality Stadium with my dad. These big games are the reason you want to make it to the top.
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“It (treatment) was a massive setback, but one I can look back on with pride and joy knowing I fought through it to get back on the pitch.
“This is probably the highest level. It’s quite surreal, to be honest, and I am seriously excited.
“England at the minute are definitely up there with their performances and results. I know what England versus Wales means, so I can’t wait to get out on the pitch.”
Scarlets centre Williams remembers regular trips to Cardiff with his father, watching Wales on many occasions – often against England.
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“Most England-Wales games at the Principality I’ve been to, until I was playing myself,” he added.
“He is a massive fan himself – a die-hard Welshman, and Welsh-speaking – so I know what these games mean.
“There is an edge to the players, and it’s a really good edge. You can tell that by the atmosphere and what’s in the air.”
With Wales’ star centre Jonathan Davies currently injured and Japan-based Hadleigh Parkes no longer available for selection, Williams has a golden opportunity to show his quality against the Six Nations champions.
And Williams’ exciting potential in the Test match arena is not lost on Wales boss Pivac.
“It was a good start for him (against Georgia), and we think there is more to come,” Pivac said.
“He is a big, strong guy, and we think he could do a role for us similar to what Hadleigh Parkes did, but he has actually got a little bit more X-factor about him, so he is another one that we think deserves his opportunity.
“Where he has been playing his club rugby in the past, we think he will enjoy the big stage playing against England.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments