Williams is still the centre of attention

WHEN Bristol signed Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Virimi Vakatawa last year to boost their midfield, few would have picked James Williams in their fantasy team.

- PAUL REES

But the 27-year old centre is not one to drop his shoulders or accept a place on the bench having become a professional player the hard way.

"It did cross my mind what it would mean for me," said Williams. "You cannot blame the club for bringing in players of their quality but throughout my career I have always been up against it with big names ahead of me.

"I am at my best when my back is against the wall. It has never been plain sailing in my career. I have always had to fight for contracts and while I thought I might end up on the bench, I was always going to compete for a place in the starting line-up. You have to back yourself and not give up.

You cannot afford to think that anything will be given to you and you have to be prepared to grind it out." following Williams started the first Premiership match against Leicester with Vakatawa on the bench, but the roles were reversed the match at Northampton with the Frenchman partnering van Rensburg in nine successive league matches before Williams started at 12 against Sale at the beginning of the year.