-Credit:Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd
Scarlets centre Johnny Williams has revealed the feedback he has had from Wales coaches after missing out on all three of Warren Gatland’s squads in 2024.
The seven-cap centre hasn’t featured for Wales since last year’s World Cup in France, but has impressed for Dwayne Peel’s side this season.
And now, after not pulling on the Welsh jersey since the win over Portugal in Nice last year, the 28-year-old is hoping to force his way into Gatland’s plans for the Six Nations.
READ MORE: Former Scarlets and Wales U-20 player cleared of designer watch robbery
READ MORE: Former England Grand Slam winner emerges as new option for Wales after stunning try
“Yeah, of course,” said Williams when asked if he was targeting a Wales recall in 2025. “I was incredibly gutted to miss out on the summer tour and the autumn.
“Of course that’s a focus but I’m sort of focused and I know it sounds cliché but I’m focused on staying fit as a number one priority. Number two is about playing well, also winning here and keep doing what I’m doing.
“That’s what I’m really focused on now. If that (Wales) comes then great.
“Fingers crossed it does but I’m not solely focused on that with it being a few weeks away. Selection is up to one man ultimately so it’s out of my control.
“I can just control the controllables and that’s focusing on me and the team.”
SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what’s really going on behind the scenes.
As for feedback from Wales coaches, Williams revealed he had received some pointers ahead of the autumn campaign.
“It was work rate off the ball,” he said. “That was the big one for me.
“That was more or less it. With what I was doing and my skill set they were quite happy with. It was more like my work rate off the ball, kick-chasing hard and metres in training.
“There’s always strings you can add to your bow and you can always look to improve.
“A big one for me has been my fitness, involvements in games, speed up off the floor, kick chasing quite hard and leadership as well. I’ve been quite hard on myself, asking can I make more linebreaks, can I beat more defenders and can I get more post contact metres?
“It’s kind of about improving on that and just being more active instead of just being happy with a carry or a pass. You can always look to improve.
“I’ve been happy with staying injury free and a little bit of my form but I want to have more involvements, break more tackles, make more linebreaks and have more try assists. Whatever I can do for the team.
“If that’s just having a leadership role, being solid in defence or leading with my kick chase as well. If that’s what the team needs, that’s what the team need.”
The Scarlets have been enjoying an upturn in form this season. Williams, hailed as a leader by his coaches this season, has played his part.
However, the man himself isn’t getting too carried away with his own personal form.
“For me the big thing is staying fit,” he said. “I’ve had some nasty injuries in the past and I’ve been in and out of squads with injuries.
“For me it’s just about staying fit, trying to build every week and improving every week in training and in the games.. what I can learn and take. I’m happy I’ve got a bit of consistency under my belt and a run of games.
“That’s the big thing.”