| Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 18 March Kick-off: 14:45 GMT |
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Owen Williams has mirrored on his “rollercoaster” season after serving to Wales to Six Nations victory in Italy.
Fly-half Williams turned unemployed when Worcester went into administration in September 2022.
He signed for Ospreys three months later and spectacular performances noticed him obtain a global recall.
“In the event you’d instructed me a few months in the past I might be taking part in for Wales within the Six Nations, I might have laughed at you,” stated Williams.
“I’m simply happy with the way in which issues have gone over the past three or 4 months.”
Williams, 31, signed for Worcester for the beginning of the 2021-22 season from Japanese aspect Crimson Hurricanes however discovered himself out of a job when the English membership went into administration.
He was recovering from a damaged thumb on the time and in addition making ready for the start of his first son with spouse Hannah.
His residence area, Ospreys, got here calling when he was signed as harm cowl for Gareth Anscombe and Stephen Myler.
After serving to Ospreys into the Heineken Champions Cup final 16, Williams was recalled by returning Wales coach Warren Gatland for the 2023 Six Nations marketing campaign.
He made his first Wales look for greater than 5 years as a alternative towards Eire.
Williams was then handed his first worldwide begin at fly-half towards England and retained that shirt within the 29-17 win over Italy.
“The final six months has been a rollercoaster,” stated Williams.
“There’s rather a lot gone on in my private life as effectively. I’ve had a child, my first one, and with what occurred at Worcester and getting injured.
“I used to be rehabbing by myself for 2 months with the assistance of a few of the Worcester [strength and conditioning staff] and physios.
“We had somewhat one on the way in which as effectively, so there have been about three months when it was actually aggravating.
“We managed to get by means of it and we have got a wholesome child boy and I’ve bought a job, in order that’s the principle factor.
“The Ospreys threw me a lifeline. They gave me a possibility and it went effectively for a few months, which in all probability put me within the store window.
“I am grateful for that chance and it is simply week to week for the time being. I am having fun with it and completely satisfied I’ve bought a job.”
Worcester downfall
Williams’ Six Nations involvement means he has doubled his tally of worldwide appearances, having performed three Checks in 2017.
He was known as up by Wales for the 2020 Six Nations match towards Eire, when he was named as a alternative earlier than being pressured to withdraw after getting injured within the warm-up.
Williams had turned ineligible for Wales below the outdated 60-cap rule after becoming a member of the Osaka-based Hurricanes on the finish of the 2019-20 season from Gloucester, the place he had spent two seasons following 4 years with Leicester.
When Williams returned from Japan, he linked up with Worcester and made his debut towards London Irish within the opening match of the 2021-22 season.
He tore a hamstring two weeks later which resulted in a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
No one might have predicted what would occur to Worcester within the following season.
“It was simply me and my spouse who went to Japan,” added Williams.
“It was in Covid occasions so I assumed it was an ideal alternative to attempt one thing totally different.
“We got here again and dwelling in Cheltenham, Worcester got here knocking and so they have been placing squad collectively on the time.
“What occurred at Worcester is absolutely unhappy and many folks have been affected by it.
“You in all probability generally take issues somewhat bit as a right and it in all probability gave me a kick up the bottom.
“There are nonetheless a lot of good gamers who have been in that workforce who do not have jobs now, so it makes me grateful to the Ospreys for giving me a possibility as effectively.”
Williams was joined within the beginning aspect in Rome by Ospreys half-back accomplice Rhys Webb, who produced a player-of-the-match efficiency.
Williams is hoping to carry off the problem of the fit-again Dan Biggar and be chosen to begin subsequent Saturday towards France at fly-half, a place the place he needs to remain after taking part in for Wales at centre in 2017.
“Rhys and I’ve bought on effectively over the past couple of months on the Ospreys and managed to place a couple of video games collectively,” stated Williams.
“I’m having fun with taking part in 10, I feel that is the place my place is, however will play wherever for Wales.”
‘Now we have nothing to lose’
France have hopes of profitable the Six Nations title after a record-breaking 53-10 win towards England at Twickenham.
Williams believes Wales, who’re coaching in Good forward of the match in Paris, ought to embrace taking part in Fabien Galthie’s aspect.
“They’re an excellent workforce,” added Williams.
“They have every part to play for and we have got nothing to lose. We’ll sit up for that problem.
“Hopefully we’ll have coaching week in Good after which we’ll throw every part at it.”