RHODRI Williams believes he has grown into the role of being Dragons captain – thanks to the help of the bruisers that he bosses around.
Director of rugby Dean Ryan opted against appointing a permanent skipper after arriving at Rodney Parade last summer.
However, with Cory Hill away on Wales duty it was Williams that got first crack in the Guinness PRO14 opener against Munster despite past Richard Hibbard and Lewis Evans being in the XV
The scrum-half continued in the role, even when lock Hill, the captain since 2017, returned to action in December.
Williams' name is the one that will be put on the Rodney Parade captaincy board underneath the likes of Andy Marinos Jason Forster, Michael Owen, Kevin Morgan, Tom Willis, Evans and Luke Charteris.
The scrum-half, who turns 27 on Tuesday, says the task of leadership has been made easier by some of the experienced forwards that he guides around the field.
"I've enjoyed it and is has been something different this season," said Williams, who won the last of his three Wales caps in 2014.
"I've said from the start that I'm lucky in that we have a team of leaders, I've got the tag as captain, but it's not just me.
"You look through the team and you see lots of experience and pick whose brains I can pick.
"Brok (Harris) and Hibbs are up front and, as a nine, I obviously have no idea what is going on in the scrums. You have to lean on them.
"Cory (Hill) obviously has huge experience in this role and at half-back we have Sam (Davies) who is a massive voice and who controls the side. I do feel like it is something I have grown into with every game."
Williams started in 14 of 19 games for the Dragons and formed a strong partnership with Davies, who only missed two games while on Wales duty and the European fixture against Enisei-STM in Russia.
The duo impressed with the calmness that they moved the team around the field to help with a number of tight tussles, often in challenging conditions.
"It was a steep learning curve for all of us in terms of managing games, but we got better with every week and improved with each game," said Williams, who signed a two-year contract extension in the winter.
"Some of the results, especially in the derby games, showed that."
READ MORE: Knoyle earns new Dragons contract
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here