World Cup Scarlet Looking Forward to Challenge Next Season

One of the IRB Junior World Championship’s brightest talents, Scarlets fly-half turned full-back Jordan Williams, said that the fierce competition leading up to the final in France has given him a big boost ahead of next season.

The promising 19-year old from Llanelli, who has come through the age-grade ranks both with the Scarlets and Wales, put in some outstanding performances for his country to help Wales secure a hotly contested final place against England.

His eye-catching attack against the 2012 World Champions South Africa in the semi-final will be one the young back will not forget in a hurry and says the experience, albeit bitter sweet after losing in the final, has given his ambition a timely boost ahead of the 2013/14 season at Parc y Scarlets.

Llanelli born and bred Williams has been emerging through the development pathway at an impressive rate with plenty of accolades under his belt already including the Best Newcomer 2012/13 after a stunning season for partner Premiership club Llanelli RFC – with 337 points in 24 games.

One of the most exciting future talents for the Scarlets, Williams says he was looking forward to a couple of weeks break after an intense three-week World Championship before coming back to training at Parc y Scarlets on July 22nd.

Williams said: “It was a great experience and one none of the boys will forget and although it was bitterly disappointing not to win the title and loss out to England, we can be very proud as a team of what we achieved.

“To be part of a team that made history to take Wales to an all Northern Hemisphere World Cup final for the first time is really positive for all of us as players.

“There’s a very strong team spirit because we have known each other as players for a while now – having played rugby together at age-grade all the way through to Wales U20s. That does make a difference in an intense campaign like the World Championship.

“I really enjoyed the campaign – obviously things went well and for me personally it was a good tournament to be a part of particularly against some of the best in the World at that level. It’s always great to get positive comments and compliments but you have to keep your feet on the ground after a high profile tournament like that.”

Williams said he didn’t really suffer with any nerves before the semi-final or final out in France.

“You know what’s at stake and there’s plenty of profile and build-up to these games but I don’t really get nervous – I just go out and play. A game’s a game and try not to think about the bigger occasion too much.”

Williams said it was good to come back home to Llanelli to such a warm welcome and the support he’d received from friends, family and Scarlets supporters had been overwhelming.

“The boys got such great support out there and back home as well – plenty of messages going back and forth on twitter and it really gave us a boost.

“It will be good to spend a little time off now with friends and family and just refresh and rest the body – hopefully I will get the chance to go away for a bit and then it’s back into pre-season and push forward next season.”

Williams said it was a key season for him now as a Scarlet and he expected nothing after his World Cup plaudits – knowing he would have to earn his place in a competitive senior Scarlets squad.

Williams said: “This is a real transition period for me now, I know that; my goal is to get as much game time as I can and I’ll have to work hard to get the jersey.”

A former student of Coedcae Comprehensive School and Coleg Sir Gar, Williams has come through the ranks at Parc y Scarlets playing for the under 16s and 18s teams before being awarded a Scarlets Academy contract. Williams was named amongst a group of young players who have been awarded development contracts with the Scarlets for 2012/13.

Williams’ first start for the region came on 15th September 2012 against Connacht where he scored a brace of tries and was award the Man of the Match award.