Williams warns fans to stay safe in stands

LIAM WILLIAMS doesn’t know if the infamous pitch invader cost Wales victory over South Africa – but he knows who would have come off worse had they collided.

The Wales full-back had to check his stride and wheel around a man wrestled to the ground by two stewards late on during last week’s clash in Cardiff.

“It’s just not on, especially in the middle of a game,” says Williams, reflecting on the security lapse at the Principality Stadium.

“It’s for his safety, more than ours. Because if we hit him, he’s the one who is going to be hurt.”

It was 15-15 when Callum

Rowe ran onto the field as Wales were attacking, an incident that shocked a nation and led to a lifetime stadium ban.

It was the second successive game in which a fan had got onto the field, meaning the Welsh RU as well as Wales’ players could be forgiven for feeling a little uneasy before today’s clash against Fiji.

Williams (below) in his first match back following an appendix operation, admits he will never know if he might have scored. But it certainly punctured his team’s momentum as world champions Springboks went on to win 23-18.

“Aerial photos show South Africa have got two guys coming across,” said Williams. “Would I have scored? You can never say yes because it didn’t happen – but he did cost me a try bonus!”

It is to Williams’ credit that he can see a funny side but then he was grateful to get back on the field after surgery for appendicitis in September. “The pain was incredible,” he said.

On today’s game he added: “We must get back to winning ways to get in a good place for Australia next weekend – it doesn’t matter if it’s a victory by one or 101

points.’’