Scrum half Rhodri Williams and prop Ryan Bevington already have caps under their belt, while Jordan Williams toured with Wales to South Africa in 2014. The new 60-cap rule for playing for Wales outside of the country convinced them all they had to cross back over the Severn Bridge this season.
“I’m still very ambitious and want to push on for a Welsh spot. That wasn’t possible being over the bridge, so the 60-cap rule is beneficial for bringing players back home and helped me to make up my mind,” said the three-times capped Rhodri Williams, who helped the Barbarians beat England at Twickenham last month.
“It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but in 10 or 20 years I didn’t want to regret a decision of staying in Bristol. Coming back might not work, but there is no regret.
“My biggest aim is to become first choice here at the Dragons. I know I can’t take things for granted and have to put the work in at the gym and on the field to get my spot.”
Now 25, Williams will be challenging another Welsh international, the fit-again Tavis Knoyle, Wales Under 20 cap Dan Babos and Wales Sevens player Rhodri Davies. He knows all about the rivalry for the Wales No 9 shirt between old foes Gareth and Aled Davies, Tomos and Lloyd Williams, but aims to get back in the mix next season.
As for Bevington, he won the last of his 13 caps to date against Italy in the 2014 Six Nations Championship. He doesn’t want to end on an unlucky number and is at least fully fit finally after some lengthy injury breaks.
Two of his caps came in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and the former Ospreys loose head prop was being groomed to anchor the Welsh scrum for many years to come. One of 10 players who went on to win full Test honours from the 2008 Wales Under 20 squad at the Junior World Championships in Wales, he made more than 100 appearances for the Ospreys between 2008-16 before switching to Bristol.
“Coming home was the big attraction and the Dragons is an exciting place to be. The Premiership is a different game to the PRO14, more physical and forward orientated, and I think playing at Bristol has made me a better player,” said the 29-year-old Bevington.
“The front five needs to give their side go-forward and Bernard Jackman has recruited some new players who can possibly bring a bit more to the table than before. There is greater strength in depth and we need to build a pack that can gain a bit of a reputation.
“Every player harbours dreams of playing for his country and I’m not different, but I;ve got to take care of my business here first. If I can do that, then everything else will take care of itself.
“I thought I was going to have a long and prosperous international career, but they are a dime a dozen the players who could have been, would have been or should have been – that’s professional sport for you, it doesn’t always happen.
“It is how you bounce back from injuries and set-backs that matters. I was unlucky to have torn my groin twice in 2014 and I’ve just been trying to claw my way back since then. I injured my knee at Bristol as well, but now I am fully fit and looking forward to playing for the Dragons.”
Jordan Williams is set to challenge Hallam Amos for the No 15 at Rodney Parade and admits he will be returning to Wales a more mature player than when he left. He says he has “unfinished business” and, at only 24 still has time on his side.
He played at full back in the 2014 Junior World Championship final against England with Rhodri Williams, as well as new Dragons team mates Amos, Elliot Dee, Jack Dixon and James Benjamin.
“I have a bit of unfinished business coming back to Wales and I wasn’t going to be able to achieve my goal of playing for Wales by staying at Bristol. That was a big part in my decision to join the Dragons,” said Williams.
