By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
Over recent years, some high-profile names have been joining the Gallagher Premiership. Finn Russell, Waisea Nayacalevu, and Leigh Halfpenny are all making their way to the iconic competition.
Gloucester have made several sensational moves over the summer, with Christian Wade, Gareth Anscombe, and Tomos Williams heading to Kingsholm.
The Williams signing has the potential to be seismic for both now and the future. He can be a catalyst for a potent attack, bringing a wealth of experience and talent to the club.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of his first season across the Severn plays out and whether it could put him on the radar for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
The Career of Tomos Williams
Williams has been a standout player for Wales and Cardiff throughout his career. Treorchy is where his rugby journey began at the age of seven.
He was consistently present throughout the Welsh set-up, from under-18s to senior level. Williams called the Arms Park home until joining Gloucester this year.
The scrum-half was part of many memorable moments in Cardiff, including the 2018 Challenge Cup final victory against Gloucester, where Williams crossed the line for a vital try.
In 2017, the day came that every Welsh player dreams of: Williams donned the famous red jersey for the first time and has since earned 59 caps.
Scrum-half is not a position lacking in depth in Wales, with players like Kieran Hardy, Rhodri Williams, and Aled Davies all being quality in their own right.
It speaks to Williams’ ability that it’s a surprise if he is not wearing the number nine shirt on a match day. Moving to Gloucester should enhance his game and allow him to grow even further.
What Makes Him Such a Talent
Williams is a fantastic rugby player and a joy to watch on the pitch. His creativity is exceptional; he can create something out of nothing.
The Welshman is quick-thinking, and he excels around breakdowns, where he can snipe with profound effect, causing the defence problems. His quickness and footwork make exploiting gaps in the defensive line easy.
The most substantial part of Williams’ game is his kicking; he can relieve pressure with his box kicks. Williams always seems to be on the shoulder of his teammates, always in support, which often results in him crossing the try line.
He has started his journey with Gloucester on fire, with many tries already to his name, which shows how excellent Williams can be.
If the Welshman maintains these performances, he could become one of the best nines in the game today, a prospect that should excite and intrigue rugby fans.
Is a Lions Tour on the Cards?
There will be a lot of discussion building up to the summer about who Andy Farrell will select to take on the Wallabies.
The talent is plain to see when considering the nines that will be available for selection. Of course, Jamison Gibson-Park is the obvious choice for the starting role; he knows how Farrell likes to play and is a world-class player.
At scrum-half, a few English competitors could go on tour. The likes of Alex Mitchell, Jack van Poortvliet, and Ben Spencer have all been playing some excellent rugby for their clubs and, throughout the year, will be looking to make an impact for England in the Six Nations.
Ben White is a consistent presence for Scotland and plays fantastic rugby at his best. Williams was a shining light in a poor Six Nations for Wales last year.
He will be looking to help Wales have a better campaign this season. If Williams can carry his club form and make an impact on the international stage, he will have a solid case to go Down Under in what promises to be an intense and exciting selection process.
Williams, an electrifying player and box office on the pitch, is now entering his prime. The 29-year-old is poised to capitalise on this and potentially become a Lion, a prospect that should fill fans with hope and optimism for his future.
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