Halaholo out after positive test so Scott gets the call

SCOTT Williams has been called up by Wales with fellow centre Willis Halaholo having tested positive for Covid-19.

Many felt the 58-cap Williams was unfortunate to miss out on the original squad for the autumn series given he has performed so well following his return to the Scarlets from Ospreys.

Now he is back on board for the four-Test campaign, more than than two years on from his last outing for Wales.

Cardiff’s Halaholo had been a strong contender to start at No 12 in Saturday’s autumn opener against New Zealand.

But he is now out of the running.

So it will come down to a choice between Johnny Williams, young Ben Thomas and the 31-year-old Scott Williams for the inside centre berth.

Halaholo is now isolating, away from national squad camp, for 10 days.

The WRU say they have notified Public Health Wales and are working closely with them on the matter.

Halaholo has tweeted on his situation, revealing he has also suffered a family loss.

“Been a rough 24 hours,” he said.

“Found out my auntie (pretty much a second mum to me) passed away late last night.

“Then wake up this morning and test positive and unavailable for a game that I’ve worked hard towards since it was announced. Gutted. Congrats Scott Williams. Good luck brothers.”

Williams is the second addition to the Welsh squad this week, with Ospreys wing Alex Cuthbert having already been called up.

Meanwhile, Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel insists there are no plans to add South Africa to the Championship with enhancement of the July and November windows seen as a greater priority.

The Springboks have been persistently linked with the tournament despite signing a contract to appear in the Rugby Championship until 2030.

SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux stated last month that his world champions would be interested in joining, but at Tuesday’s Autumn Nations Series launch Morel ruled out an invitation for the foreseeable future.