Rhodri Williams: Dragons scrum-half shocked by Wales call-up

Williams looked back on his last international experience and believes he has matured as a player in the years since.

“It was a special day, coming off the bench and the boys were really good,” Williams said.

“I managed to hit a shot to score. It’s good memories and fingers crossed I can push for another opportunity.

“There’s been a lot of rugby played since then, with a lot more experience. I feel like I’m in a good place.”

Williams, who began his professional career at Scarlets, was named alongside Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams and Cardiff number nine Ellis Bevan.

He will have benefited from Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies’ decision to retire from international rugby and was preferred to the Ospreys’ younger duo of Reuben Morgan-Williams and Kieran Hardy.

Williams is one of four Dragons players in the squad, alongside Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter and Rio Dyer.

“We are very pleased with Rhodri,” said Flanagan.

“He is a world-class nine and worked hard, was patient and diligent in the way he prepared and performed.

“It has always been his ambition to get back into the Wales squad and it is our job to give the players the best possible chance of getting in.”

Flanagan believes selection is reward for Williams’ consistent form since he joined the team from Bristol.

“He kept hitting and he’s been excellent. He’s been one of our best players for a few years now,” Flanagan said.

“He came to the Dragons with the ambition of playing a lot of rugby and has faced competition, whether from Gonzalo Bertranou or Dane Blacker.”