Six Nations: Scott Williams reflects on Wales’ 2012 Triple Crown success at Twickenham

Enter Great Scott as Williams was about to announce his name on the big stage.

Williams had made his international debut in 2011 against the Barbarians as a replacement for Gavin Henson, before being picked for the World Cup in New Zealand where he scored four tries, including a hat-trick against Namibia.

This was the pressure cooker of the Six Nations, though, as Williams replaced the injured Jamie Roberts at half-time.

It was an inauspicious start as the new man squandered a try-scoring chance by ignoring an overlap.

Time to make amends as the crucial moment arrived. England spread the ball through Ben Youngs, Chris Robshaw and then to the huge frame of Courtney Lawes.

With Warburton making the tackle low and Ian Evans arriving to help, Williams suddenly saw his chance to rip the ball from Lawes’ grasp.

The ball came out as the England replacement appeared to concentrate on Warburton making the tackle and was caught by surprise by the steal from Williams.

That was the first bit done. Williams was now left galloping towards the England line, and as the home defenders converged on him, he chose to put a grubber kick ahead.

Now it was a foot race but nobody was covering the back field for England. Tom Croft tried his best to cover the ground but was left flailing as the ball just popped up obligingly into Williams’ hands.

The centre gleefully collected it and gave his version of a swallow dive over the line before being mobbed by his team-mates.

“It’s hard to describe the try because it was just instinct,” added Williams.

“Firstly I managed to rip the ball and then I saw the space behind and went for it. It was special.”

There were still some defensive heroics with Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies, helped by George North, stopping England wing David Strettle from scoring late on.

“Every time somebody asks me about the try I have to mention Leigh and Jon’s tackle in the corner at the end which helped us win the game,” said Williams.

“If that had not happened, nobody would have remembered my try as they do now.”

Ultimately, Williams sealed the Triple Crown with his moment of magic as Wales earned another victory away against England for Warren Gatland following the 2008 success in his first game in charge.

The 2012 success remains the only occasion Wales have clinched a Triple Crown at Twickenham.

Williams admits that Twickenham trip was not the highlight of his career.

“It was one of the special moments so far but probably the highlight was winning the league with the Scarlets (in 2017),” said Williams.

“Winning the Triple Crown and Grand Slams are special but to win something with the boys you spend every day with, you know how hard they work and the effort they put in – that was special.”