WALES are set to face a major late injury concern ahead of their Six Nations clash with Italy, with full-back Liam Williams now a significant doubt for the match. The experienced back was already struggling with a knee issue during the team’s 43-0 defeat to France, and Wales head coach Warren Gatland confirmed after the match that Williams would have been replaced if Owen Watkin had not been forced off in the first half.
Reports indicate that Williams’ knee has swollen once again, leaving him highly unlikely to feature in the matchday squad unless he makes a dramatic recovery by tomorrow.
If Williams is ruled out, Gatland is expected to call upon Scarlets speedster Blair Murray to step into the starting XV, with Josh Adams and Tom Rogers maintaining their positions. Murray, who started all three of Wales’ autumn internationals, has previously worn the number 15 jersey, notably during the heavy defeat to South Africa.
The full-back trained with the squad in Rome on Friday, where he was used in the full-back role, while Josh Hathaway is set to join the replacements bench.
Other potential options include giving Scarlets wing Ellis Mee his debut or selecting Gloucester’s Hathaway in the starting line-up. However, the Wales coaching staff have often prioritised continuity in their selections.
The loss of Williams would be a significant blow to Wales’ chances of securing a much-needed win against Italy, a match that has been described as a “must-win” for Gatland’s side. After a winless 2024, Gatland had been granted some breathing room, but another defeat, particularly to Italy, would increase the pressure on the New Zealander.
