Wales host Italy in Cardiff on Saturday still searching for their first Championship victory in three years.
Their run of defeats now stands at 15 consecutive Six Nations matches, a sequence stretching back 1,099 days to their last win — against the Italians in Rome on March 11, 2023.
That disastrous spell has left Wales facing the prospect of finishing at the bottom of the table again regardless of the result against the Azzurri.
Yet Williams says Italy’s turnaround in recent seasons proves how quickly fortunes can change in international rugby.
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"They've obviously improved in recent years and are really competitive, especially this campaign," said Williams.
"They've got some class players and have a good game plan that suits them and they've all bought into."
Italy’s rise has been one of the notable stories in the Six Nations over the past two seasons.
Under head coach Gonzalo Quesada, the Azzurri have developed a more cohesive playing style and greater belief.
They have already beaten both Scotland and England in this year’s competition and are chasing a historic milestone — three victories in a single Six Nations campaign for the first time.
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Their current momentum is in stark contrast to the struggles they endured not long ago. Between 2015 and 2022, Italy lost 36 consecutive Six Nations matches and finished winless in the 2022 championship.
Williams believes that transformation demonstrates how quickly confidence and momentum can alter the direction of a national side.
"From game to game or campaign to campaign it doesn't take much (to turn things around).
“Momentum swings and confidence is a huge thing. They look confident at the moment, they back themselves and know what they're doing."
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Wales are hoping to replicate that type of progress under head coach Steve Tandy, who has managed just one narrow win over Japan in his eight matches in charge.
Saturday’s game in Cardiff will be Tandy’s ninth, and the coach has selected an unchanged starting line-up for the first time since taking over — a sign that the management team are beginning to settle on combinations they trust.
Recent performances have shown encouraging signs despite continued defeats. Wales pushed Ireland hard in Dublin last weekend before eventually losing 27–17, staying within one score of their opponents until the closing minutes.
That display followed another improved showing against Scotland after heavy losses to England and France earlier in the tournament.
For Williams, those performances suggest Wales are gradually moving in the right direction, even if the results have not yet reflected that progress and their attacking game looks blunt.
"The last two performances have been a lot better," said Williams.
"We'd have liked the results as well, but there’s plenty of positives and we're heading in the right direction."
At 31, the Gloucester scrum-half is one of the more experienced figures in the Wales squad and has also represented the British & Irish Lions on tour.
He believes the coaching group are still learning about the strengths and personalities within the squad as they look to rebuild confidence and identity after a long period of turmoil for Welsh rugby.
"It's going to take a while for coaches to realise what boys are good at and what their strengths are. How boys react to stuff and want to play."
While Wales have tended to peak toward the latter stages of tournaments, Williams acknowledges the team must also find ways to start future campaigns more strongly.
"You're always going to build it towards the end of a campaign and get a little bit better, but our target is to start strong in campaigns as well."
For now, however, the immediate objective is clear: end the long losing run and restore belief within the squad.
