The Challenge Cup’s leading try-scorer is set to face his old mentor, Rees, in the first all-Wales European quarter-final in 15 years when his side head to Rodney Parade to meet Newport Gwent Dragons.
And Williams admits both sides will be doing whatever they can to ruffle the feathers of the biggest and bitterest of local rivals ahead of the eagerly-anticipated Challenge Cup derby.
“Derbies are great games to play in. You know most of the lads, having grown up playing with many of them, and everyone wants to get one over their mate,” admitted Williams.
“Richie is a real character and also a good friend of mine from his time at the Blues. He really helped me when I was coming through the academy and then with Wales.
“There will be plenty of banter going on this week on the phones between both sets of players will be red hot.”
The Blues remain the only Welsh side to win European silverware having lifted the Challenge Cup by beating RC Toulon 28-21 in front of a record crowd of 48,990 in Marseille in 2010 – when the Blues had Rees at scrum half and Dragons hooker Rhys Thomas in the middle of their front row.
Europe has provided both teams with some relief from their Guinness PRO12 shortcomings this season which have seen the two teams swap positions in the lower reaches of the table month in, month out. Only last weekend the Dragons overtook the Blues to move into ninth place following their bonus point win in Italy.
“Europe has been a clean slate for everyone during a disappointing league campaign. The games have been great to be involved in and now we’ve got a great occasion against the Dragons to look forward to,” said Williams.
“Rodney Parade is a tough place to play. Their fans are always great for them, but with our supporters going over, it should be a great day for Welsh rugby.”
The Blues hope to have Wales’ most capped player, Gethin Jenkins, back from the hamstring and calf muscle problems that forced him out of the final week of the RBS 6 Nations. Wales skipper Sam Warburton will also be considered, while Argentine international Joaquin Tuculet, who played a key role in the league win at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day, is now registered to play in Europe.
“Europe has to be a target for us now that Champions Cup qualification looks to be beyond us in the PRO12. We have a lot of confidence in our squad, but we have to make sure we have something to play for at the end of the season,” said Blues caretaker coach, Paul John.
It was 1-1 in the meeting between the two teams in the PRO12, which each side winning away from home, so the Euro derby will be the decider. Whoever wins will go on to face the winners of the game between London Irish and Edinburgh Rugby.
