The Cardiff Blues scrum half has progressed from the Wales Under 18 set-up to make Byron Hayward’s squad for the clash with the Azzurri. Wales start their RBS 6 Nations at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay, as they look to better last season’s second placed finish.
Williams is one of a number of new faces in the Wales side – just five of those involved on Friday night have previous experience at this level. He partners Dragons fly half Ethan Davies at half back with Dafydd Howells and RGC 1404 duo Afon Bagshaw and Harri Evans providing the firepower out wide.
“I’m delighted to be selected to start this game and I’m excited to get going now,” said Williams.
“I can’t wait to play and get on with it. It will be great to play up in north Wales in front of a big crowd, hopefully they will get behind us and I’m sure it will be a great experience.”
Like fellow Wales squad member Ethan Lewis, Williams hails from Treorchy and has progressed quickly to the Blues.
“I played for Treorchy all the way up to youth level and then I got picked up by the Blues at the start of last season,” he said.
“I got pulled into the academy from there and was selected for Wales Under 18 and went to South Africa with them. I think I played quite well out there and now I’ve been selected for Wales Under 20.
“The Blues is a great environment and there are a number of top scrum halves there. Lloyd Williams is obviously a full international and he’s someone to look at and learn from.”
While hoping to continue his progression at the Blues, Williams is focused on international duty for now, starting with the meeting with Italy. The Italians lost four of their five games last year, with one drawn, but pushed Wales all the way in a mudbath last season.
“We haven’t seen much of Italy, they are a bit of an unknown quality,” said Williams.
“Hopefully we can do well in this Six Nations and if I perform, then maybe I can get a place in the Junior World Championship squad this summer.”
Tickets are still available for Friday night’s game from Colwyn Leisure Centre and Venue Cymru (online at www.venuecymru.co.uk until Thursday evening/ tel 01492 872000/ The Promenade, Llandudno) from £5 Under 16s and from £10 for adults.
Wales Under 20 Six Nations fixtures 2014
Wales Under 20 v Italy – Friday 31 January – Eirias – 7.10pm
Ireland Under 20 v Wales – Friday 7 February – Dubarry Park, Ahtlone – 7.35pm
Wales Under 20 v France – Saturday 22 February – Eirias – 6.05pm
England Under 20 v Wales – Friday 7 March – Kingston Park, Newcastle – 7.45pm
Wales Under 20 v Scotland – Friday 14 March – Eirias – 7pm
