Wales fly-half Owen Williams reveals relief at still playing rugby after Worcester’s financial woes

When Owen Williams was left unemployed on the similar time his spouse was pregnant with their first little one, he may by no means have envisaged taking part in within the Six Nations just a few months later.

That’s the reason the Wales fly-half is set to get pleasure from each second of being again in a Wales shirt, notably so this week with Warren Gatland’s facet coaching on the Cote d’Azur.

‘I’m simply completely happy I’ve bought a job,’ Williams stated.

The 31-year-old has already had fairly the season. After a stint in Japan through the pandemic, Williams – like his former colleagues – was hit onerous by the demise of Worcester.

When the Warriors entered monetary oblivion in September, Williams – like all of the membership’s staff – misplaced his job. Worse nonetheless, he was injured on the time with a damaged thumb and had a child on the way in which.

Fly-half Owen Williams is again on the massive stage once more after a troublesome again finish to 2022 

The 31-year-old was launched by Worcester following their monetary woes in September

Just some months later the Williams  was chosen for Wales’ Six Nations squad

Now, issues are very totally different. On the sphere, Williams has discovered a brand new dwelling at Welsh facet Ospreys and is again taking part in worldwide rugby. Off it, issues are good too.

‘Truthfully, the final six months has been a rollercoaster,’ stated Williams, who began at No 10 as Wales bought their first win of 2023 in Italy final weekend.

‘There’s loads gone on in my private life as properly. I’ve had a child, my first one, after which there was what occurred at Worcester and getting injured. We may by no means have foreseen it.

‘We had a little bit one on the way in which so there have been about three months when it was actually irritating. We managed to get by means of it. We’ve bought a wholesome child boy and I’ve bought a job in order that’s the primary factor.

‘I used to be rehabbing by myself with the assistance of a number of the Worcester physios. Then the Ospreys threw me a lifeline. They gave me a possibility and it went properly for a few months which gave me a store window. I’m actually grateful for that chance.

‘As cliché because it sounds, it’s simply week to week in the meanwhile. You generally take issues a little bit bit with no consideration. It in all probability gave me a kick up the bottom. 

‘There are nonetheless a lot of good gamers who had been at that group (Worcester) who don’t have jobs now so it simply makes me actually grateful.’

Williams is 31, however his begin in Rome was solely his sixth Welsh cap. He was ineligible for Check rugby for lengthy durations after transferring to play in England with Leicester and Gloucester earlier than a brief stint in Japan with the Purple Hurricanes after which a return to the UK at Worcester.

Being again in Welsh rugby has occurred extra by chance than design, however Williams has embraced the change.‘What occurred at Worcester is admittedly unhappy,’ he added.

‘I had two months of coaching there by myself. Should you had informed me then I’d be taking part in for Wales within the Six Nations I’d have laughed at you. 

‘I’m simply happy with the way in which issues have gone during the last three or 4 months.’

After a much-needed victory in Rome following a interval of distress in Welsh rugby, Gatland’s senior group are making ready to face France with a coaching camp in sunny Good.

Wales secured their first win of the 2023 Six Nations with a win away in Italy on Saturday

France performed rugby from the heavens to inflict a worst ever dwelling defeat on England

Doing so is to imitate preparations for the World Cup, additionally in France, later this yr.A ‘Tremendous Saturday’ assembly with Les Bleus is Wales’ ultimate Six Nations problem and a frightening one within the wake of their seven-try destruction of England at Twickenham.

France performed rugby from the heavens to inflict a worst ever dwelling defeat on England and nonetheless have hopes of a Six Nations title.They may want Eire to blow their grand slam bid towards England in Dublin to have an opportunity.

You would be forgiven for considering Wales can be daunted by the prospect of assembly France, however Williams isn’t. He’s decided to get pleasure from each minute of being again at rugby’s elite degree, particularly after his latest experiences confirmed him how simply it will probably all be taken away.

‘They’re an excellent group,’ Williams stated of France.‘They’ve bought all the pieces to play for and we’ve bought nothing to lose. It’s going to be a troublesome one however we’ll stay up for that problem.’