RHODRI Williams hasn't given up on a Wales recall but knows he needs to help turn around the Dragons' fortunes after a "rollercoaster" first season.

The 26-year-old scrum-half headed to Rodney Parade from Bristol last season with the aim of adding to his three caps in World Cup year.

However, Williams failed to force his way back into the fold and Warren Gatland has selected just three number 9s in his training squad for Japan 2019.

With Lion Rhys Webb ineligible, the Dragons man could be next in line if Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams or Aled Davies suffers an injury.

Rhodri Williams kept himself in the spotlight with an impressive cameo for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham last Sunday, scoring a super try with his first touch, and still has the hunger for Test rugby.

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"I won't give up," said Williams. "You never give up as a player because it's a massive ambition of mine. I will keep my head down, keep working through pre-season and see what happens."

Williams' Test hopes weren't helped by the Dragons' struggles but he had a strong personal first campaign in Newport.

The scrum-half missed just two games, both in the European Challenge Cup, and was nominated for the coaches' player of the year award.

Williams wants to build on his efforts when the Dragons return for pre-season training on Monday to start the Dean Ryan era.

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"It was a bit of a rollercoaster. Some games I played well and others I didn't and was not up to my standard," he said.

"I was quite pleased with the way that we finished as a club by beating the Scarlets at Judgement Day, but we've got to build on that going into next season.

"It will be interested to see how it goes and what struct Dean Ryan brings in. I look forward to building for the season."

And Williams will spend the summer on the training paddock working on his half-back partnership with new boy Sam Davies, who has headed east from the Ospreys.

"He is a quality player and I played with him with Wales Under-20s and at age-grade," said Williams. "Hopefully he can push on with us and fight it out with the other 10s, because competition is healthy."

Williams had a short break after the stirring Judgement Day finale but was happy to put the boots back on ahead of schedule for the Baa-Baas.

Alongside Dragons teammate Richard Hibbard, the scrum-half lined up alongside the likes of Australia's James Horwill and Taqele Naiyaravoro, All Blacks Charles Pitau, Malakai Fekitoa, John Afoa, Steven Luatua, Liam Messam and Colin Slade, England's Joe Marler, Springbok Francois Louw and Edinburgh's PRO14 player of the year, Fijian Bill Mata.

England triumphed 51-43 but it didn't take the shine off the occasion for Williams, who replaced Webb for the final quarter.

"It's such a privilege to play for a club like that against quality opposition," he said. "It wasn't bad to come on and score a try, I was just in the right place at the right time to finish it off. When you are playing with world-class players things like that can open up.

"It's just about enjoying your rugby, playing with smiles on faces and with a different group, freshening things up. When I had the invite I was pleased to play and such an occasion is why we play rugby."