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WELCOME BACK NICK!
After four years at Ulster, the big number 8 joined
the Welsh outfit last summer and has continued
his impressive form with them, scoring 3 tries in
his 15 appearances this season.
While Ulster are currently pursuing the PRO12
play-offs, the focus for Cardiff is on securing their
place in next season's Champions Cup.
The first part of that challenge comes tonight
when Williams and his colleagues pitch up in
Belfast…
"It will always be a special place for me and my
family," said Williams, reflecting on his time here.
"We have some fond memories and made some
good mates, so it's going to be a bit emotional."
Williams admits that he continues to follow the
results of Les Kiss' side and keeps in touch with
a large section of the squad, but insists he will
be entirely focused on his task at hand come
7.35pm.
"I think it's natural to keep an eye on the boys'
results, having been there for a long time. I look
to see how they're going and I keep in contact.
I caught up with a few of the boys when they
played Dragons a couple of weeks ago so the
bond is very much there.
"We will be enemies on the pitch, but
brothers off it. As soon as we cross
that white line we'll be gunning for
each other but as soon as the ref
blows the whistle on 80 minutes
I'm sure it will be hugs all round."
Williams also got to know the Ulster
fans well during his time here, and
he was quick to offer praise for the
Kingspan Stadium faithful when
asked about his return…
"It will be great to
be back and
experience
the atmosphere again. That's what makes the
game - the supporters. I was enjoying myself (at
Ulster) and I think that showed. I've had to move
across the water - my professional life lies very
much here in Cardiff - but I'm really excited to
come back and get out in front of the crowd once
again."
While Williams clearly misses Belfast and its
people, he has unsurprisingly settled well into his
new surroundings.
"It has gone really well. We've a lot of friends in
the mainland which makes a difference. It's been
a really smooth transition off the field which, to
me, matters the most."
On the field of play it has been a mixed season for
the Blues, and a 46-26 defeat versus Gloucester
on Saturday ended their Challenge Cup hopes
for this season, a result that left Williams feeling
hugely frustrated.
"We played well at times but we are our own
worst enemies - the last 25/30 minutes we went
into our shell and didn't play to plan A or plan
B. They obviously capitalised on that with some
good performances by a few ex-Ulster boys,
John Afoa and Paddy McAllister. Now we have to
pick ourselves up for Friday night."
Having won at Thomond Park earlier this
season, Williams says Cardiff will have
belief that they can produce a similar
result at Kingspan Stadium.
"When you go away, if you don't
think you're going to win you are
half way there to losing already.
The expectation that the Ulster boys
have, and the crowd has, will put the
pressure on them.
"We can come over and just
enjoy it, and hopefully I
can get one over on
my old mates."
WILLIAMS READY FOR TONIGHT’S
'EMOTIONAL' RETURN TO BELFAST
Former Ulster fan favourite Nick Williams says his old teammates will be
'enemies on the pitch, brothers off it' when he returns to Kingspan Stadium
for the first time with Cardiff Blues.