Like every other player in Warren Gatland’s current 41-man training squad, he is determined to help his country end the tournament as global champions.
Williams hardly needs any extra motivation, but as the tournament in the Far East looms into view, the 28-year-old fullback could yet make rugby history.
No player has ever claimed a domestic, European, Six Nations and World Cup clean sweep in the same year, but after a season in which he lost only once, Williams has that in his sights.
In the 2018-19 campaign Williams played every game and enjoyed a starring role as Wales claimed Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam glory. He was nominated for the player of the tournament award – one which went to Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones – and also helped his club side Saracens to win Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup titles.
Now there is one more box to tick.
Williams said: “Three trophies… It’s nearly been the perfect year! [The World Cup is] a pretty decent target and we’ve got a chance, but we will have to wait and see. I took my medals back home to my mum as she keeps them safe.
“I haven’t got that many, so hopefully I can get another one this year.”
Williams’ medal haul is tucked safely away in Waunarlwydd, the village where he played his amateur rugby while working as a scaffolder at the Port Talbot Steelworks.
“As soon as I played my first game for Wales I wasn’t a scaffolder anymore,” Williams said.
Williams won 22 of the 23 games he played last season.
For Wales he has played an instrumental role in Gatland’s side recording an unbeaten run which currently stretches to 14 matches.
Williams’ and Wales’ next challenge is to return to the field to face England in Sunday’s first World Cup warm-up clash at Twickenham.
A home game with the Red Rose and two meetings with Ireland will follow before the serious business begins in Japan.
“We had a good Six Nations winning the Grand Slam, but we’re back now and pulling each other through the dark times. That’s what builds a team. It gives us a lot of energy around the place.”
