Wales have once again been struck by bad luck after winger Liam Williams was ruled out for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup with a foot injury sustained against Australia on Saturday.
The Scarlets winger, who can also be deployed at full-back, left the field alongside Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts in the closing stages of their side’s 15-6 defeat to the Wallabies at Twickenham.
Roberts, 28, sufered a knock to the head and is expected to return before his side’s quarter-final encounter against South Africa but unfortunately Williams will not play a further part in his nation’s World Cup campaign.
“It’s a big blow,” Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins told the BBC.
“He’s been an outstanding player for us and did incredibly well to come back from his injury in the summer to get back up and running and get fit.
“He’s been playing outstandingly well, and did pretty well again yesterday until his injury.
“He’s a huge loss, but we’ve had quite a few of them and we’ve just got to get on with it.”
Williams will undoubtedly be disappointed to have been ruled out of the tournament after already returning from a concussion that he received during Wales’ emphatic 28-25 victory over the World Cup hosts England.
Uncertainty originally surrounded the fitness of Williams, who had only recently returned from a foot injury received in June but he now joins an already long list of absentees including Leigh Halfpenny (knee), Jonathan Davies (knee), Corey Allen (hamstring), Rhodri Jones (arm), Rhys Webb (foot), Scott Williams (knee), Hallam Amos (shoulder) and Eli Walker (hamstring).
