It has been a busy summer time for brand spanking new Cardiff full-back Liam Williams and it reveals no signal of letting up.
He was a part of the Wales aspect that misplaced 2-1 in a collection in South Africa, bought married and began coaching with new aspect Cardiff after an low season transfer from Scarlets.
And it guarantees to be one other hectic 12 months with the World Cup in France looming subsequent September and a United Rugby Championship league season beginning later this month.
Williams is focusing on a 3rd world event and 100 worldwide caps with 81 Wales Exams and 5 extra for the British and Irish Lions beneath his belt up to now.
“The purpose could be to do the following World Cup which is that this time subsequent yr,” stated Williams.
“If I can to get that hopefully I can get to 100 caps as nicely. That’s only a dream. Simply successful one cap is an honour, however having come up to now and having a couple of left to go is behind thoughts.
“For me, it is about staying right here match first and enjoying nicely for Cardiff, getting a run of video games and hopefully getting chosen for the autumn and Six Nations.
“I’ll simply be doing all the things I can off the pitch to maintain myself match and accessible for choice.”
Williams helped Wales to a good collection loss in South Africa, however was not content material with that.
“I believe we must always have come away with a collection victory if I’m completely trustworthy,” he added.
“The primary sport bought away from us within the final quarter-hour with some calls we couldn’t management ourselves.
“After dropping the primary and and successful the second, it was powerful going into the third.
“We picked nearly the identical staff for the three video games and it is onerous to go back-to-back.”
Williams had a break after the summer time defeat which he spent getting married to his bride Sophie and managed to carry out a profitable speech.
That is an admirable feat given the problem of public talking for Williams who has beforehand admitting coping with a stammer from a younger age.
“It was an ideal day,” stated Williams.
“The rain held off and all people partied. The speech went nicely, so much higher than I believed it might.
“My two finest males ruined me of their speeches and it was an all-round nice day.
“I’m not superb at weddings as a result of I get very emotional so I did cry a few instances.
“Everyone was there to assist me and Sophie and also you all the time get emotional for the people who find themselves not in a position to be there.”
After that, it was again to pre-season coaching together with his new membership Cardiff as he and new signing Taulupe Faletau arrived on the identical day on the Arms Park.
“Pre-season will get tougher yearly, however that you must do it to get match,” stated Williams,
“Toby [Faletau] appears fitter than most in the meanwhile so he’s trying good and working rather well and will likely be an enormous asset to this membership.”
Williams skilled silverware success with Scarlets in his first stint with the Pro12 trophy in 2017 earlier than becoming a member of Saracens the place he was an integral a part of a European and English double triumph.
His return to Scarlets in 2020 was not so profitable with worldwide commitments and accidents proscribing his appearances.
“Personally I believe it was time for a change,” added Williams.
“I wasn’t having fun with my rugby in the direction of the top of the season down there and picked up a few accidents in the course of the season additionally.
“So a change of place and surroundings was wanted and I’m residing up in Cardiff as nicely. It was so much simpler than travelling an hour up and down there from house day by day.
“I used to be chatting with Dai Younger in the direction of the again finish of final season and I fancied a special problem.
“I do know group of the lads right here at Cardiff and I spoke to them in the course of the Six Nations.
“I had an in-depth dialog with them and that is in all probability the rationale why I left the Scarlets for right here.”
Williams has spent two weeks in pre-season now together with his debut date nonetheless being evaluated after becoming a member of up with the squad late with Cardiff’s opening league sport in opposition to Munster on 16 September.
He has linked up with a staff decided to erase the reminiscence of the final poor marketing campaign which completed with a report 69-21 defeat in opposition to Benetton.
“It feels good and I’m pleased to be right here,” stated Williams.
“There are an ideal group of lads right here who’ve made really feel very welcome and I’ve settled in nicely.
“Cardiff didn’t go too nicely on the again finish of final season, however we’re right into a model new season now.
“The temper right here is nice and the boys have been working onerous in pre-season.
“We now have not spoken about successful the league or something like that. We need to compete each single sport and hopefully get a couple of wins alongside the street.
“Hopefully we will likely be up the highest in the direction of the again finish of the season and we will likely be working onerous to remain within the prime half.”
Williams is hoping to be impressed by the Arms Park the place he scored two tries for Scarlets in opposition to Cardiff in the direction of the top of recent season and confirmed the trustworthy what they need to anticipate.
“It was an ideal environment that sport and I’m trying ahead to many nights like that in a Cardiff shirt,” stated Williams.
“The Arms Park is nice as a result of the gang is so near the pitch.”
