Danny Williams still working hard

Jul 1 2009 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

WHEN Rugby League convert Danny Williams dipped his toe in cross-code waters at the start of last season, he got the cold, sharp shock he was expecting.

Having squared up to the challenge offered by Newcastle Falcons’ Steve Bates and Alan Tait, Williams left his league comfort zone and an impressive strike record behind and threw himself into learning union from scratch.

But as the 22-year-old former Leeds Rhinos winger quickly discovered, finishing prowess was the least of the coaches’ worries as they farmed him out to Tynedale for match practice and put on extra sessions for his benefit.

Williams freely admitted he spent his first few months getting up to speed, but quickly adapted to the trickier points of his new trade looking composed under often serious pressure on his Premiership debut against Gloucester at Kingston Park in October, fielding high balls and recycling ruck ball well, despite never really having a sniff of scoring.

Just two games later though he ran in his first top-flight try at Worcester – all of which seems almost an age ago when comparing that raw and keen Williams with the player that finished his first term with nine tries in 18 appearances.

Some impact for a first season, but while that rapid transformation startled some neutral observers, it came as no surprise to the Falcons coaching staff.