Captain Rhodri Williams has welcomed the return of ‘classy’ full back Jordan Williams ahead of the new league season.
Dangerman Williams made a successful playing return in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Bristol Bears.
The 27-year-old had not featured since injuring his knee in the European away day at Enisei-STM in November.
However, Williams is now back firing on all cylinders and, according to his skipper, is set to add real attacking threat when the new Guinness PRO14 campaign starts next weekend.
“Jordan is a classy player and he is deadly with the ball in hand. Everyone knows what he can do,” said Williams.
“He didn’t get the space against Bristol, but that is credit to him that plenty of Bristol players were aware of his threat.
“Jordan’s a quality player and it is nice to be playing back alongside him. It’s been a long ten months for him, but to be fair he has kept his head down and worked hard.
“He doesn’t say a whole lot anyway, but he has got his rehab done and speaking to him over lockdown he was working really hard.
“Jordan was working in his own time, when he wasn’t with the physios, so credit to him for working hard during that period. The result is now getting back out on the field and playing back in the side.”
Reflecting on the European defeat, Williams is eager for the team to learn the lessons of Ashton Gate and move forward.
“Bristol showed what a quality side they are,” he added. “There were two spells where they have scored 21 points before we could turn it around.
“There are positives we can take. The first 15 minutes we went 10-0 up and were putting them under pressure, but we took our foot off the throttle a little bit and they punished us.
“It’s a massive experience for the boys, to come to Bristol and face an opposition like that.
“We have made plenty of progress this last season and we’ve got to keep building and moving forward,” he added.
“It’s exciting to be involved with the Dragons so hopefully the fans are excited with it and we are building nicely.
“We have some quality players so it will not take long for them to fit into the side. We’re looking forward to the season ahead.”
Jordan is a classy player and he is deadly with the ball in hand... Everyone knows what he can do...
