Williams abdominal injury latest body blow for Wales
WALES have been dealt another savage injury blow with Liam Williams likely to miss at least their opening fixture against Scotland next Saturday.
The Saracens full-back has been struggling with an abdominal strain for the past two months and may even require surgery if the Wales medics are unable to get him fit in the next few weeks, with a trip to Twickenham to face England looming in the second week of the championship.
Williams joins a lengthy list that also includes fly-halves Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland, centre Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton, the Lions captain. Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: “Liam is being rehabbed extensively over the next couple of weeks.
“Hopefully they can get him right but if he’s not right unfortunately he might require surgery.
“It’s probably an injury that he should have had an operation on six weeks ago, but Saracens had rehabbed him and he’s come away from the game against the Ospreys feeling very sore.” Leigh Halfpenny is almost certain to start at full-back now to cover the loss of Biggar’s place-kicking, and Gatland will have to choose between Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams and Gareth Anscombe at fly-half – it will certainly be a first Six Nations start for one of them. Wing Hallam Amos is battling to be fit after an ankle injury, but Gatland does at least have fellow flier George North approaching full fitness again.