Life in Welsh rugby can certainly be a rollercoaster - just ask Rhodri Williams.
Scrum half Rhodri Williams has revealed his shock and delight at his international call-up this week – and vowed to give it everything to add to his caps tally over a decade after his last appearance.
The 31-year-old was included in the Wales squad for the autumn internationals after an impressive start to the BKT United Rugby Championship season with the Men of Gwent.
Williams won the last of his three caps against Scotland in 2014, when he scored a try in the Six Nations win at Principality Stadium.
The livewire nine was called up in 2021 and 2022 but remains on three.
And he admitted that meant he was not expecting a call when Monday’s squad announcement broke.
“I was quite shocked. The email came through just before the announcement, but I wasn’t checking my phone,” he said.
“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.”
If Williams earns selection this autumn it will come 10 years and seven months after he scored as Wales cruised past Scotland on home turf.
“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 said.
“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.
“I was 20 at the time (I played) and there has been a lot of rugby played since then, with a lot more experience,” he added.
“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 right 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."
Williams revealed he has now had to postpone family plans after his call-up.
“I was meant to be having time off and I had booked Alton Towers with the little one and the family,” he smiled.
“The wife has been 100 per cent supportive and these things do pop up as a rugby player."
And he has also paid tribute to his team-mates for the role they have played him earning him his latest international recognition.
He said: “I feel that I am in a good place. As a 9 it’s all down to the work in front of you and there are things that I have looked good at because of the small details being done very well by others.
“I have been on the end of a lot of things so it’s credit to the squad for those moments.”
Williams is one of four Dragons players in the squad alongside Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter and Rio Dyer.
"We are chuffed to bits for Rhodri," said Head Coach Dai Flanagan. "He is an international quality nine and has put in the hard work, been patient and diligent with how he has prepared and performed.
"It's always been his ambition to get back in the Wales squad and it's our job to give players the best possible chance to get in."
Flanagan believes the selection is reward for Williams' consistent form since he joined the side from Bristol.
"He has kept knocking away and has been excellent, he has been one of our best players for a couple of years," said Flanagan.
"He came to the Dragons with an ambition to play a lot of rugby and he has had competition whether it's been from Gonzalo Bertranou or Dane Blacker."
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...
