Shocked rugby star found out about surprise call-up after everyone else in Wales

Dragons RFC scrum-half Rhodri Williams has revealed he found out about his Wales call-up after everyone else in Wales.

The ex-Bristol Bears man, who returned to Welsh rugby in 2018 in a bid to earn more caps, says that the announcement wasn't even on his mind until Dai Flanagan addressed the squad.

"I was quite shocked. The email came through just before the announcement but I wasn’t checking my phone," explained Williams to the Argus. "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.

WIN Wales autumn internationals tickets: Just fill in the form here and you'll be entered in the draw for free Wales v Fiji tickets

"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."

The 31-year-old was one of the surprise inclusions in Warren Gatland's 35-man squad, and hasn't played for his country since facing Scotland in the 2014 Six Nations, where he scored a try.

That Test was the last of his three caps for Cymru, and a decade later you'd be able to forgive him for assuming he'd get some time off in November, after booking a trip away with family.

"I was meant to be having time off and I had booked Alton Towers with the little one and the family! The wife has been 100 per cent supportive and these things do pop up as a rugby player," he added.

READ MORE: Mum was in tears over my Wales call-up, now I'm going to learn the anthem

READ MORE: The teams now providing the most Wales players as 'fifth Welsh region' emerges

"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. 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 (of last Wales cap) and there has been a lot of rugby played since then, and I have a lot more experience. 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 best 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 has an opportunity to prove to Gatland that he deserves his place in the squad when he faces Connacht in the URC this weekend. The Wales boss spoke positively of Williams' form in recent times, and explained what he brings to the squad.

"I thought he played well for the Dragons last year," said Gatland. "We've been really impressed with how he’s been playing with the tempo. We'll probably get him defending a little bit different to how he's defending with the Dragons. We need to do some work with him there. He’s scoring tries, running good support lines, he’s been around for a while so he's got some experience."