WILLIAMS A MISSING LINK FOR DRAGONS

OWEN WILLIAMS insists Wales won’t reinvent the wheel against Australia this evening.

But Warren Gatland’s new playmaker hopes he can be the missing cog in the Red backline.

Wales are on a run of 12 straight defeats to the Wallabies and Gatland has picked Gloucester’s Williams for his first Test start as a second playmaker alongside fly-half Dan Biggar.

“The way we play may be slightly different to what Wales have done in the past few years,” said Williams (above).

“I didn’t think my first start for Wales at home would be at No.12, but I’ve played there quite a few times for Leicester and Gloucester.

“I’m comfortable in the role, but we aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. We are just trying to have more options in attack.”

Injuries mean Wales start with Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi in the back row. They join fellow fresh faces in wing Steffan Evans and centre Williams in Gatland’s side.

The boss has claimed his men are genuine contenders to win the 2019 World Cup in Japan but to legitimise that, Wales must soon start winning against the best teams in the world, like t h e Wallabies.

“I’m being thrown in the deep end and it is sink or swim, I’m looking forward to it,” said Williams.

“We must be clinical and can’t concede soft points.”

Aussie skipper Michael Hooper said: “We are pumped, ready, couldn’t be better. It’ll be a massive game.”