From the dejection of World Cup elimination, Welsh rugby has shown signs of flourishing once again under Warren Gatland’s new coaching regime.

Wales face Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, having opened their RBS 6 Nations campaign with victories over England and Scotland.

In three weeks, Wales head to Dublin with a shot at the triple crown - and there are even whispers among supporters of potential grand slam glory.

Williams, who hung up his international boots after the World Cup, will not buy into that talk just yet.

The Welsh have not beaten Italy since their last grand slam campaign in 2005 and still have Ireland and title favourites France to come.

But Williams is driven through Gatland’s fierce training sessions - the like of which he has never experienced before - by the desire to bring success back to Welsh rugby.

“From the outside looking in around Christmas time, I sensed we were going to be successful. With the coaching team on board and the talent in the squad, I knew we could be on the verge of something pretty special,” he said.

“It is always good when a new coach comes in with new ideas. It has been challenging.

“You have to pick yourself up another gear, and it is working. After that win over England, I knew I had made the right decision to come back.

“But there are still three games to go, and if we don’t perform or win these next three games then it will be a disappointing Six Nations.”

Italy pushed Ireland close on the opening weekend and gave England a tough examination in Rome nine days ago - and may well have beaten the World Cup finalists had their line-out not malfunctioned at crucial moments.

“People are still under-estimating Italy, and it is difficult to see why because they are pushing sides regularly,” said Williams.

“They have world-class players and have been our bogey side in the last couple of years.

“We drew at home with them two years ago and we lost over there last year. They will be very dangerous on Saturday.”