Although he admits to a touch of trepidation, Scott Williams hopes that his move to Ospreys will keep his Wales career in rude health.
The 27-year-old centre, who was part of his country’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations squad in 2012, is preparing for the upcoming PRO14 season as an Osprey, having spurned interest from clubs in England and France in favour of a switch to the Liberty Stadium from Scarlets.
Williams chose to remain in Wales as he bids to add to his 57 caps and earn selection for the 2019 Rugby World Cup – he has his fingers crossed that he has chosen the right place to lay his hat.
“Moving from the Scarlets to the Ospreys did play on my mind but if I want to play for Wales, I have to stay in Wales,” said Williams, who also won the 2013 Six Nations with Wales.
“If I was to move abroad, I would be giving up my Wales career, which is something I don’t want to do.
“You have thoughts all the time about whether you have made the right decision but I am going to the Ospreys next season where things will hopefully be better.”
Williams made his Six Nations debut in 2012 and, as a replacement, scored a late try to help Wales defeat England 19-12 at Twickenham.
He links up with his international colleagues George North and Aled Davies at the Ospreys and hopes that there are good times are around the corner, with the province having failed to clinch silverware since 2012.
“I know things weren’t great at the Ospreys last season but it will be a new season coming up, so you never know what will happen,” he added.
“There were a number of reasons why I left the Scarlets. I felt like it was time to try something new.
“I am definitely going to miss all the boys at the Scarlets because what we had there was special.
“Sometimes, things don’t work out the way you want them to but maybe I will be winning silverware with the Ospreys next season.”
