NEWPORT Gwent Dragons flanker Sian Williams has become the first full-time professional Welsh rugby player.

The 25-year-old back rower from Wrexham, who plays her club rugby for Worcester, has been awarded elite athlete status by the Royal Air Force to play the sport professionally.

Williams joined the RAF in 2008 and will move from her base at Brize Norton to St Athan after being released from her commitments to train full-time with Wales.

"I cannot have excuses now for not being the best I can possibly be. People are going to look at me and say 'you're full-time', so there is a little bit of pressure, but I like pressure," she said in her column with the BBC.

"It is really exciting and I have got to make sure I push myself forward and make the most of the opportunity."

"I have juggled work and rugby at the same time. I lived in Oxford and travelled to Cardiff three times a week to train with Wales, and trained at Worcester for my club twice a week.

"I would spend around 12 hours a week in the car, travelling back and forth, so it was difficult to get a good balance between work and rugby.

"That will not happen anymore – that time can now be spent training."

Williams captained Wales Under-20s and won her first full cap in 2011 against Scotland.

She has become a key member of Rhys Edwards' side over the past two seasons and the flanker, who has also represented her country at sevens, won her 20th cap in last weekend's loss to Ireland at Donnybrook.

Wales have delayed naming their side for Sunday's clash with Scotland, which is scheduled to be played at the Gnoll in Neath but could be moved due to recent bad weather. They are monitoring captain Rachel Taylor's shoulder problem from the loss in Ireland.

"Scotland are going to come at us all guns blazing on Sunday. It is going to be a battle and we will need to weather the storm," said Williams.

"Patience will be key and then we need to take every opportunity we create, to get points on the board."