Johnson is expected to make a decision about his long-term future before the end of the RBS 6 Nations tournament, having already had talks with new Australia coach John Connolly.

But the Welsh players have made it clear they hope the Australian, who took over from Mike Ruddock last month, remains as their coach.

Williams believes Johnson is one of the best coaches I have worked with.

I know I speak for the boys that we dont want to see him go, said 35-times capped Williams.

He has got personal reasons for whatever decision he is going to make, and we are going to have to respect that.

He is a great guy and we just hope he stays. I personally want him to stay.  

Among others he has been at the heart of Waless success and hes brought so much to the team  I have learned so much from him.

He has an all-round knowledge of the game. He can tell you anything about rugby, not only now but about something that happened about 100 years ago.

He is so knowledgeable and his intelligence of rugby makes the game a lot easier for the players.

I certainly havent worked with anyone like him before and he certainly one of the best coaches I have worked under.

If Johnson does go back to Australia to be Connollys assistant it will be a decision based in-part on family reasons.

And he wants his Wales players to try to put the uncertainty of the Wales coaching job to the back of their minds.

Scott has told us to worry about the rugby and our own games, and Scott is going to have to make the decision he needs to make, added Williams.

So really we have had to put that to the back of our minds and just worry about the rugby.

Williams is raring to get back to the action after missing the 31-5 hammering against Ireland two weekends ago  the first match since Ruddock resigned as coach.

The British & Irish Lions wing has recovered from a dead leg he picked up against Scotland and proved his fitness with a run out for the Ospreys last Friday.

It is frustrating missing games at such an important time for Welsh rugby. I wanted to play in Ireland, even though the result didnt go our way, and it is hard to take.

Williams is set for a recall against Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday especially as fellow wing Mark Jones is only rated 50-50 by the Wales medical team.