Wales’ Liam Williams out of Rugby World Cup

Liam Williams joined Wales’ World Cup casualty list after he was ruled out of the rest of the tournament on Sunday with a foot injury.

Williams limped off in the second half of yesterday’s Pool A decider against Australia.

The Welsh Rugby Union announced the news in a statement without elaborating, and said it would update later.

Liam Williams was a doubt ahead of the tournament after undergoing foot surgery in June to fix damage to his fifth metatarsal.

“He’s a huge player for us and he did well again yesterday”.

And his loss is a particular blow heading towards next weekend’s quarter-final clash against twice world champions South Africa.

He managed to get fit in time for the opening match, but picked up a dead leg against Uruguay, suffered concussion against England and missed the Fiji game as a result.

‘If anyone comes in it will be an opportunity for them, ‘ said Jenkins.

That would then leave Gatland needing to make a decision on Jamie Roberts’ midfield partner, with Tyler Morgan and James Hook his likely options. We will wait and see what Gats (head coach Warren Gatland) wants to do.

Asked if Wales’ injury run was the worst he’s ever known, Jenkins added: “The amount of players we have lost isn’t ideal”.

Yet despite all their injury problems, Wales – already qualified for the last eight before Saturday’s match – came second in the “Pool of Death” behind Australia.