It’s great to have Liam back for us – McCall

LIAM Williams will make his muchanticipated return to action in Saracens’ must-win Champions Cup clash against the Ospreys in Swansea tonight (7.45), writes Tom Allnut.

The Wales and Lions back has been thrust straight into the Sarries’ starting XV for the Pool 2 showdown at the Liberty – his first game since picking up an abdominal injury in the November Test against Georgia.

“He’s an exceptional player and it’s great to have him back, we’ve taken our time with him but he looks pretty good,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall, who has named Williams on the left wing.

“It’s always a gamble to bring someone back when they haven’t played for a bit but I do think that you have the occasional exceptional player who’s able to do that and is good enough for you to want to put them in, Liam is in that category.”

Williams’s return is a timely one, just a few weeks out from the start of the Six Nations.

George North and Hallam Amos are both expected to miss the Championship opener against Scotland because of injury, while Steff Evans hasn’t played since Boxing Day because of suspension.

As well as Williams, Saracens include fellow Lions Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola, while fit-again England star Billy Vunipola packs down at No. 8.

The Ospreys have made just one changes from the narrow Guinness PRO14 win over Cardiff Blues last weekend with Moldovan prop Dmitri Arhip coming in at tight-head.

Owen Watkin has recovered from the neck injury he suffered against the Blues to partner Ashley Beck in midfield, while skipper Alun Wyn Jones has passed the necessary head injury protocols to lead the side.

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy, said: “We are going into the final two rounds with everything to play for.

“This group of players has shown a great attitude and desire to get us into a positive position and they know they have to go again.” TEAMS – OSPREYS: S. Davies; J. Hassler, A. Beck, O. Watkin, D. Evans; D. Biggar, R. Webb; N. Smith, S. Baldwin, D. Arhip, B. Davies, AW. Jones (capt), O. Cracknell, R. McCusker, J. Tipuric. Reps: S. Otten, G. Thomas, M. Fia, A. Beard, W. Jones, T. Habberfield, K. Fonotia, D. Howells. SARACENS: A. Goode; S. Maitland, M. Bosch, B. Barritt (capt), L. Williams; O. Farrell, R. Wigglesworth; M. Vunipola, J. George, V. Koch, M. Itoje, W. Skelton, M. Rhodes, B. Vunipola, J. Wray. Reps: C. Tolofua, R. Barrington, J. Figallo, G. Kruis, C. Clark, B. Spencer, A. Lozowski, C. Wyles.