Following a whirlwind weekend Lloyd Williams was happy to help Cardiff Blues to a convincing Guinness PRO14 victory over Edinburgh Rugby.
Williams was one of four Wales squad members included by the Blues for the must-win encounter on Monday night and did not link up with his club mates until match-day.
The scrum-half was a travelling reserve as France snatched a Grand Slam from the grasps of Wales and did not arrive back until Sunday afternoon.
But the lack of preparation did little to disrupt the Arms Park stalwart who produced a commanding performance and created a crucial try for half-back partner Jarrod Evans.
Williams said: “I was a bit deflated after Saturday but it’s nice to come back here and get straight back on the horse, play a match and win.
“We travelled back from France on Sunday afternoon but that was fine. I had been talking to the boys throughout the weekend and they were great filling me in on what the plays were and they’ve been the same calls all year.
"It’s been in fits and starts playing wise but I was really glad to be involved in the Six Nations. It’s a great thing to be a part of and I was really gutted for the lads because how much they deserved that.
“That’s just rugby and hopefully we have a chance of the title next week. Personally I was really glad I could come back here and play, I just want to play as much rugby as I can.”
It was far from simple for Cardiff following a disappointing first half performance but they came flying out of the blocks in the second half with the likes of Williams and Jarrod Evans, who combined for a third try prominent.
Evans had spotted space behind Edinburgh’s rush defence and called for Williams to chip for a stunning score.
Williams continued: “We mentioned at half-time, trying to make possession count a little bit more and I feel we did that, especially when we went into their 22. We came away with points, which was real important for us.
“We had limited possession in the first half but we played really good stuff in the second-half. I’m not entirely sure why just in the second half but it was great and it was a really pleasing win.
“Ja has that up his sleeves if needs be and he got the message in. It was great vision by him, he saw there was no one in behind and gave me the call. I was glad I could put it on a bit of a plate for him and he did well to finish it. I was just chuffed we got the try and in the hunt for a fourth.
“It’s brilliant playing with him and throughout the week they knew exactly how they wanted to play and he kept me in the loop. He was great tonight and when the forwards are going forward it’s a bit of an armchair ride.”
And it is now a waiting game for Williams, Wales and Cardiff Blues.
Monday night’s bonus-point victory was enough to secure a fourth placed finish in Conference B of the PRO14 but it is still unknown if that is enough to qualify for the European Champions
Williams said: “I heard they (Scarlets) won, which is great for Welsh rugby but maybe not ourselves. Unfortunately we’re now awaiting further information.
“It would be great for us, it’s something we would really love to be a part of but it’s not in our hands at the moment. If is the case then we’ll be thrilled.”
Then on Friday, Williams and the whole of Wales will be supporting Scotland, who can deny France the Six Nations Championship and hand it to their Celtic cousins.
Williams added: “Well, we’ll be supporting Scotland! Fingers crossed. Unfortunately we lost on the weekend but we played some great stuff but it’s not in our hands.
“It would be great. The boys have worked so hard throughout the whole campaign and from my experience, we deserve it and it would be good to see that hard work pay off.”