Wales have used six players in the centre this season but the one who many feel has been the best-performing midfield man in domestic rugby hasn’t been given a chance.
Scott Williams gave his advocates more material to argue the case that he should be in Wayne Pivac’s Wales side with another hugely impressive display for the Scarlets.
Skippering the west Walians to a stylish 35-10 win over Glasgow Warriors, Williams bossed the midfield as he scored a try, made good decisions and showcased his all-round game.
Two high-profiled Welsh pundits were not slow in backing the ultra-tough Scarlet's claims to be restored to the Test set-up.
Ahead of kick-off against the Warriors, Sean Holley was asked on Premier Sports why Williams didn’t seem to be part of the Wales midfield conversation.
He replied: “You’re asking the wrong ex-coach.
“For me, Scott should be playing for Wales.
“He’s everything Wales are missing at the moment — experience, class, physique, kicking game, passing, ingenuity.
“He should be playing for Wales.
“He’s been great this season.”
Williams started the campaign behind his rivals for a Wales spot having played so little rugby because of injuries over the previous two seasons.
But he has been a model of consistency this term.
He’s won two of the four official man-of-the-match awards dished out to Scarlets players this term and even when others have taken the limelight Williams has been an important figure with the rock-solid stability and direction he brings to the Llanelli-based team’s midfield.
Nick Tompkins is the Wales incumbent at inside centre and he used Saracens’ top-of-the-bill Gallagher Premiership game against Leicester on Saturday to show he has no plans to loosen his grip on the Welsh No. 12 jersey, with Tompkins deservedly winning the player of the game gong.
But ex-Wales centre Tom Shanklin still believes Williams is the better option for Pivac.
Shanklin posted on social media: “Wow, NT playing decent but I think SW has more in his locker.
“Put @gavinhenson82 aside, Scott Williams is 100 [percent] Wales’ best 12. Varies his passing, running, kicking so well.”
Tompkins has started more Tests in the centre for Pivac than any other player and is set to figure there against France on Friday evening, but Williams continues to knock on the coach’s door.
While no-one seems interested in answering right now, the 31-year-old former Wales captain is showing himself to be a serious option ahead of a year that leads into a World Cup.
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