Wales suffer major late injury blow ahead of Italy Six Nations match
Wales have been dealt a late injury blow with full-back Liam Williams a major doubt for the Six Nations clash with Italy.
The experienced full-back had been struggling with a knee injury in the 43-0 defeat to France and Warren Gatland confirmed post-match that if Owen Watkin hadn't left the field in the first-half Williams would have been replaced.
WalesOnline understands Williams' knee has swollen up again and he is highly likely to be pulled out of the matchday squad, barring a very late recovery.
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If Williams' knee does not recover in time, Gatland is likely to call Scarlets speedster Blair Murray into the starting XV with Josh Adams and Tom Rogers retaining their places. Murray started all three of Wales' autumn internationals and wore the number 15 jersey in the heavy defeat to South Africa.
He trained at full-back in Rome on Friday, with Josh Hathaway likely to come on to the replacements bench.
The other potential options would be to give Scarlets wing Ellis Mee a debut or to opt for Gloucester flyer Hathaway in the starting XV, but the Wales coaches have always favoured continuity.
If Williams doesn't recover, it will be a hammer blow to Wales' chances of beating Italy in what is being billed as a must-win game for Gatland's side.
Gatland received a stay of execution following a winless 2024 but defeat to Italy would put the New Zealander under further pressure.
