Form star Warren Gatland never rated gets second chance and is now in straight Wales shootout
Johnny Williams' international career has been reignited
The Scarlets' Johnny Williams races clear for a try against the Lions
(Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Huw Evans Agency )
When Johnny Williams held court with journalists to preview the Scarlets' derby against the Ospreys last December he was inevitably asked why he had been left out of the Wales squad despite being in a rich vein of form.
"It was work rate off the ball," said Williams at the time.
"That was the big one for me. With what I was doing and my skill set they were quite happy with. It was my work rate off the ball, kick chasing hard and metres in training.
"There's always strings you can add to your bow and you can always look to improve.
"A big one for me has been my fitness, involvements in games, speed up off the floor, kick chasing hard and leadership also. I've been quite hard on myself."
Williams has certainly had a big impact on the Scarlets' late surge which secured a place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
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In fact it could strongly be argued that if it wasn't for powerful centre Williams and outside-half Sam Costelow returning from injury the Scarlets wouldn't have reached the last eight.
Williams and Costelow have dovetailed wonderfully, with the Scarlets' attack functioning far more efficiently as a result.
The 28-year-old is a high-impact player who can carry the ball into heavy traffic and make significant post-contact metres.
His offloading and footwork have also been top notch but his peripheral vision has improved significantly with Williams now striking the balance between when to carry hard and when to shift the ball wide.
Throughout Wales' barren run of 17 straight defeats they have lacked players to consistently cross the gainline, but Williams is in this mould.
Despite his obvious qualities Williams has been limited to seven caps for his country with a series of injuries certainly playing its part.
Warren Gatland selected Williams in his Rugby World Cup squad in 2023 but he figured just once against Portugal.
But from then on Williams was deemed surplus to requirements by Gatland, who preferred the likes of Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin and Max Llewellyn. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
The Scarlets centre was perhaps a little inconsistent at the time but interim Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has opted to include Williams in his squad to tour Japan.
At the end of the day selection is a matter of opinion and Williams has been presented with a second chance to prove he can cut it as a high-end, international-class player.
Williams was outstanding in the Scarlets' victory over Leinster last month and backed it up with another excellent performance against the Lions in Johannesburg.
In Japan this summer, Sherratt will have to decide between Williams and Ben Thomas for the number 12 shirt.
Both players are the polar opposite in style, with Thomas in the mould of a southern hemisphere-style second five-eighth, and acts like a second playmaker, while he also provides a kicking option from 12.
Thomas is arguably more adaptable to the expansive style of rugby Sherratt is likely to adopt in Japan, plus he is coached by him at Cardiff.
But Williams' relationship with Joe Roberts - who will almost certainly start at outside centre - and outside-half Costelow could help his cause.
Cohesion is an important factor in any side and given how well the Scarlets backline have played of late this goes in Williams' favour.
Japan are also not the biggest of sides so a centre who can crash over the gainline as easily as Williams has to be an option. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here
As Williams' journey continues to unfold, his recent resurgence with the Scarlets has not only reignited his international ambitions but also reminded us of the unpredictability of professional rugby.
Once seemingly on the fringes, Williams now stands as a key figure in Wales' plans for the upcoming tour to Japan.
His blend of power, skill and leadership offers Wales a dynamic option in the centre, particularly with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
Whether he secures a starting role this summer or not, Williams' ability to adapt and evolve makes him a player worth keeping a close eye on in the years to come.
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In the fast-paced world of rugby, a second chance is a rare gift — and Williams seems determined to make the most of it.
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