WALES centre Scott Williams resisted the temptation of a move overseas to switch to the Ospreys and fight for a midfield spot in next year's World Cup.

The 27-year-old has made the short move to Swansea from the Scarlets after 11 seasons in Llanelli.

In the absence of Lions ace Jonathan Davies, Williams formed an impressive partnership with Hadleigh Parkes for both club and country last year.

Now he is set to work alongside prospect Owen Watkin, a rival for a place in the squad for Japan 2019, at the Liberty Stadium.

Williams was offered deals by English and French clubs but turned them down to remain available for Warren Gatland.

He played in nine of 12 internationals, so his tally of 57 caps would have left him unable to represent Wales had he moved over the border.

"Moving from the Scarlets to the Ospreys did play on my mind, but if I want to play for Wales I have to stay in Wales," Williams said.

"If I was to move abroad I would be giving up my Wales career which is something I don't want to do.

"You have thoughts all the time about whether you have made the right decision, but I am going to the Ospreys next season where things will hopefully be better."

Williams won the PRO12 with the Scarlets in 2017 and last season helped them make the PRO14 final and last four of the European Champions Cup.

Yet he is moving to an Ospreys side that have lost Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar to Toulon and Northampton respectively and who will be playing in the Challenge Cup after a disappointing league campaign.

"I know things weren't great at the Ospreys last season, but it will be a new season coming up so you never know what will happen," said Williams, who is joined at the Liberty by fellow new international recruits George North and Aled Davies.

"There were a number of reasons why I left the Scarlets. I felt like it was time to try something new. I am definitely going to miss all the boys at the Scarlets because what we had there was special.

"Sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to, but maybe I will be winning silverware with the Ospreys next season."