Williams is the 'Mr Consistency' of Welsh rugby and got his reward at the highest level when being named Six Nations player of the tournament earlier this season.

That was recognition for the 29-year-old producing probably the best form of his career despite admitting when he was given the award that he had not expected to start the tournament.

Having captained the Welsh Under-21 side, he first joined their senior squad for the 2000 Six Nations and after a spell back in the domestic game he returned to the national team for the following year's Six Nations campaign and made a major contribution to Wales' win over France in Paris.

His outstanding form earned him a place on the Lions tour of Australia later that year where his commitment and appetite for the battle were evident.

An open-side flanker of the highest order, he has remained an integral part of Wales squads ever since and, during their fallow times in particular, added much-needed fire to the dragon.