Still only 23, Williams is a product of the club’s academy and first played for RGC when they were in Division 1 East. Now they are WRU National Cup holders and last season reached the Premiership play-offs.
“I can’t believe it is 100 appearances. When you look back it is amazing to remember so many high points – of course the cup win stands out, but I look back at a game away at Blackwood as well,” recalled Francis.
“I had been out injured and it was my first game back. We have come such a long way from Division 1 East, and all that we have achieved has been a result of hard work from all involved on and off the field.
“That year in Division 1 East was my first season of senior rugby, and I learnt a huge amount from the players around me like Kelvin Davies and Bryn Williams. I have plenty of highlights to look back on, but I’m also looking forward to creating a few more this season.”
Bridgend are the visitors to Parc Eirias in Round 7 and they are taking a squad of 26 players with them to north Wales. They have won two of their six games to date.
Llanelli head coach Phil Davies knows all about the special nature of the west Wales derby against Swansea. He played in many of them during his five seasons as captain of the Scartlets and is looking forward to welcoming the All White to Parc Y Scarlets.
Swansea have picked up only one win to date and are anchored to the bottom of the table, but they have proved already this season they are capable of raising their game, as they did in their recent draw with RGC 1404.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work with the local clubs and trained at Kidwelly ahead of this game. We’ve got a few players in on permit from neighbouring sides because the regional players are preparing for the B&I Cup,” said Davies.
“But there is so much good young talent around it is really exciting. Our average age will be about 22 and everyone is keen to play for the club.”
Aberavon host Neath in another one of Welsh club’s rugby’s great derby matches, while Carmarthen Quins host league leaders Llandovery.
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP WEST DIVISION – ROUND 7
Aberavon v Neath
Carmarthen Quins v Llandovery
Llanelli v Swansea
RGC 1404 v Bridgend
WEST TEAMS
Aberavon v Neath
Aberavon: Liam Popham; Mike Wilson, Will Price, Rheon James, Shaun Pearce; James Garland (captain), Jacob Flynn; Jordan Walters, Luke Davies, Jon Thomas, Ben Jones, Ben Davies, Rob Dudley-Jones, Luke Joseph, Joe Tomalin-Reeves
Reps: David Pritchard, Steffen Williams, Jonathan Phillips, Ieuan Davies, Rhys Forse, Mike Burgess, Ben Thomas, Craig Price
Neath: Ed Howley; James Roberts, Richard Smith, Matthew Pearce, Alec Jenkins; Gavin Evans (captain), Scott Gibson; Ben Uphill, Sion Crocker, Geraint James, Matthew Davies, Ryan Bean, Scott Hicks, Charlie Davies, Leon Ward
Reps: Neil White, Ifan Phillips, Liam Tobias, Josh Cole, Ceri White, Chris Morgans, Iwan Evans, Geraint Llewellyn
Carmarthen Quins v Llandovery
Carmarthen Quins: Aled Thomas; Dale Ford, Nic Reynolds, Josh Batcup, Morgan Griffiths; Dan Jones, Jonathan Evans; Steff Phillips, Torin Myhill, Steffan Thomas, Rhys Minchin Haydn Pugh (captain), Shaun Jones, Lewis Millin, Lee Taylor
Reps: Gethin Robinson, Rhodri Clancy , Connor Allen, Sion Colella, Ifan Beynon-Thomas, Steffan Marshall, Jack Price, Gavin Thomas
Llandovery: Lee Rees; Owain Davies, Rhodri Wall, Rhodri Jones, Aaron Warren; Kris Jones, Alex Davies; Gareth Howells, Emyr Phillips, Greg Cunniffe, Bryn Griffiths, Morgan Jones, Duane Eager, Shaun Miles, Emyr Price
Reps: Scott Jenkins, Jamie Hughes, Jack Jones, Stuart Worrall, Ricky Guest, Richard Brooks, Scott Maynard, Kieran Charles
Llanelli v Swansea
Llanelli: Jake Newman; Thomas Rogers, Steffan Hughes, Oliver Reyland, Ashley Evans; Ioan Hughes, Gareth George; Tom Kaijaks, Craig Thomas, Ben Leung, Richard Bullough, Christian Long, Ellis Thomas, Lloyd Pike (captain), Nathan Hart
Reps: Ben Edwards, Rhys Thomas, Dylan Phillips, Ashleigh Hyndman, Michael Owen, Matthew Flanagan, Lewis Williams, Ryan Davies
Swansea: Owen Howe; Andrew Claypole, Callum Carson, Jedd Evans, Jake Randall; James Davies, Rhodri Wells; Jack Powell, Ashleigh James, Chris Thomas, Jay Williams, Tudor Hughes, Jon Vaughan, Ben Davies, Jon Fox (captain)
Reps: Tom Ball, Hugh Gustafson, Fenton Holder, Matt Dodd, Emyr Williams, Josh Guy, Gareth Walters, Rhys Williams
RGC 1404 v Bridgend
RGC 1404: Dion Jones; Aran Evans, Harri Evans, Tiaan Loots, Ianto Parri; Danny Cross, Efan Jones; Joe Simpson, George Roberts, Sam Wainwright, Maredydd Francis (captain), Robin Williams, Andrew Williams, Dan Owen, Tim Grey
Reps: Evan Yardley, Curtis Reynolds, Jordan Scott, Rhys Williams, Bryn Edwards, Cameron Davies, Jacob Botica, Afon Bagshaw
