Williams latest withdrawal for Wales' cursed Rugby World Cup team

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.

The 24-year-old Scarlets wing limped off with a foot problem during the second half of Wales' 15-6 Pool A defeat by Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

"Disappointing news out of camp this morning. Liam Williams ruled out of RWC with foot injury," said a statement on the Welsh Rugby Union's Twitter feed on Sunday.

Williams is the sixth member of Wales' original World Cup squad to be ruled out because of injury following Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos and Cory Allen.

"We are very sorry for Liam, he’s been outstanding in the last couple of years," said Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins.

"He’s a huge player for us and he did well again yesterday. He will be a huge loss but we have had quite a few injuries now and we have to get on with it," the former Wales fly-half added.

Williams had to overcome a foot injury just to gain a place in coach Warren Gatland's original 31-man squad.

Also capable of playing at full-back, Williams was then concussed during Wales' dramatic 28-25 win over tournament hosts England at Twickenham a fortnight ago and missed the subsequent victory against Fiji.

Williams' injury means Gatland is set to be forced into yet another rejig of his team heading into Wales' World Cup quarter-final against South Africa next weekend.

George North, pushed into centre against Australia, is likely to return to his more familiar wing berth against the two-time world champion Springboks.

That would leave Gatland needing to find a new midfield partner for Jamie Roberts, with utility back James Hook and Tyler Morgan two possible options.

"If anyone comes in it will be an opportunity for them. We will wait and see what Gats wants to do," said Jenkins.

"We have enough players in the squad to cover at the moment.

"We have had incredible bad luck, there’s no doubt about that," he added.

"But it’s the Rugby World Cup and we have to get on with it."

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.
Source: AFP