Rugby VAVEL

Liam Williams a major doubt for Rugby World Cup

Welsh outside back Liam Williams is a shock doubt for the Rugby World Cup after undergoing foot surgery

Liam Williams a major doubt for Rugby World Cup
Liam Williams in action for Wales (Photo: express)
tom-hiscott
By Tom Hiscott

Liam Williams is a doubt for Wales' Rugby World Cup campaign, after undergoing foot surgery.

Wales sweating on Williams' surgery

The problem became apparent this week, and the Scarlets full-back has taken the decision to have surgery as soon as possible in the hope of being fit for the sport's biggest event.

Wales and Williams are now sweating on the test results, which will determine how long he is out for, and whether his participation in the World Cup is under threat. 

He will remain with the camp until the severity of the injury is known, with the 23 times-capped player a pivotal part of Warren Gatland's plans. 

Williams came to prominence on the wing during the 2015 Six Nations after replacing Alex Cuthbert in the side, and showing he knew how to get to the try line.

Backline problems continue for Wales

If Williams were to be ruled out, it would be the second major blow for Wales, after they lost star centre Jonathan Davies to an injury he picked up playing for French side Clermont Auvergne

There are now just 88 days until Wales' World Cup campaign begins against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium, before they take on England, Australia and Fiji, in by far the toughest of the pools at the sport's showpiece event.

If Williams were to miss out, Wales will be dependant on George North, Leigh Halfpenny and the aforementioned Cuthbert staying fit for the duration of the campaign before having to call upon other back-three players who will lack experience at the international level. 

The Wales camp have not yet disclosed any information about when he is expected to return, and have described the injury as 'a foot complaint'

Elsewhere in the pool

One of Wales' World Cup pool opponents England, made an alteration to their 50-man training squad on Monday, with David Strettle being replaced in camp by Semesa Rokodoguni.

Strettle's impending move over to France seems to have accelerated the process, with England's stance of foreign-based players well known to all, which gives Bath's Rokodoguni an opportunity to impress and force his way into the final reckoning for the World Cup.