The Bluebird hoping to fly high in Welsh rugby

Amy Williams’ international rugby debut was the stuff of sporting dreams.

The 21-year-old from Pontypool lined up on the wing against a Barbarians side littered with global superstars and ran in not one but two tries in a rare Welsh win at Twickenham.

“I was just in shock,” said Williams. “It’s my favourite moment of my sporting career so far. I couldn’t believe it when I scored.”

Scoring is not unfamiliar territory to Williams.

Prior to her first outing for Sean Lynn’s side, she wore the bluebird of Cardiff City Women on her shirt.

Had it not been for the encouragement of former Dragons flanker Scott Matthews at Coleg Gwent, Williams may still be chasing the round ball.

She did try to juggle both passions for a while, but admitted “it was just too much”.

“I was training for rugby in the day and then going to football,” said Williams.

“I sat down and thought I really need to decide which one. There was a trip going to New Zealand with [GB Sevens] rugby, and I really wanted to do that.

“I also preferred the physical element of the game and kind of stuck to it.”

On debut, Williams lined up opposite Ruby Tui, one of the best known faces in women’s rugby alongside Ilona Maher.

A larger than life character, Tui has won Olympic sevens gold and the World Cup with New Zealand.

“I watched way more football growing up so she was one of the only rugby players I knew,” said Williams.

“I know her name and what she’s achieved. It was quite daunting at first, but as soon as I got into the game I felt quite comfortable.”

Williams calmly collected a high ball before showing an impressive turn of pace down her wing for her first try.

She then showed a different side to her game for the second, shrugging off Canada international Alex Tessier – no mean feat – to get over the line.

Pathway player Amy Williams made her Wales Under-21s debut against Ireland in May this year [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Williams has continued to impress throughout pre-season, with Lynn including her in his WXV squad for Tests against South Africa, USA and Japan.

She believes her footballing past helps parts of her game.

“Definitely feet, like stepping feet and stuff,” she said.

“Coordination too. A lot of coaches say girls that come from football are quite good under a high ball, but mainly footwork, in football you’ve got to be really quick on your feet.”

The transition has not been completely smooth though; Williams admits there are some parts of rugby she has really had to work on.

“It’s a completely different game. There’s no backfield in football, it’s learning how to use it,” she said.

“Even tackling. I came into rugby and I’d just throw myself at someone, I had no technique.

“And because I played football, people think that you can kick, but it’s a different shape. All the detail around everything that comes with rugby was probably the hardest thing for me.”

With the Barbarians being an uncapped fixture, Williams is hoping that honour comes later this month.

Wales kick-off their WXV Global Series with home games at Cardiff Arms Park against South Africa on Friday, 18 September (19:15 BST) and USA eight days later.

They will then travel to Japan for two Tests on 23 and 31 October.

“It would be massive. It’s my dream since I’ve started playing rugby,” said Williams.

She faces competition in the backline from the likes of Jaz Joyce, Lisa Neumann, Nel Metcalfe, Seren Singleton and Nikita Protheroe.

“It’s a competitive environment, I really want a shirt but I’m also really happy for them as well,” Williams added.

“We all want it as much as each other. I’m just going to focus on myself and do what I can to get in that shirt, so just keep training hard.”