The 26-year-old was dispatched to the international wilderness after his last game at the Millennium Stadium in October 2001 when he was part of a Welsh team that slumped to a humiliating 36-6 defeat by Ireland.

Williams shot back to prominence with his try-scoring exploits against New Zealand when he was finally handed his World Cup chance last October before producing a mesmerising display of wing wizardry in the quarter-final against England.

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys flier will return against Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations opener as part of a back line being hailed as the best since the last golden era of JJ Williams, Gerald Davies and co in the 1970's.

"I never thought about giving up but I was thinking about giving up hope," admitted Williams. "I had a feeling I might never play for Wales again.

"I had had a lot of injuries and it has affected my performances. I was even doubting if I was good enough to play for Neath.

"My confidence was down in the World Cup because I wasn't playing in any of the matches. It was a long four weeks so when I was given the chance to play I wanted to grab it with both hands.

"Luckily enough, it turned out that way and those last two games were brilliant. We felt we were capable of beating anyone and that's the feeling we want to carry into the Six Nations.

"I haven't played at the National Stadium for a couple of years and I'm really looking forward to getting back out there. The stadium and the crowd can definitely lift you and I am someone who feeds off a crowd."