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Wales hit by Liam Williams setback after Biggar blow

By Peter Thompson
Saracens and Wales back Liam Williams

Liam Williams is set to miss Wales’ Six Nations opener against Scotland and could sit out the entire tournament if he requires surgery 

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The versatile back made his Saracens return against Ospreys following a two-month absence due to an abdominal injury.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed that the British and Irish Lion is still struggling just 10 days before Scotland visit the Principality Stadium on the opening day of the tournament. 

“He is being rehabbed extensively over the next couple of weeks,” said Gatland.

“Hopefully they can get him right but if he’s not right unfortunately he might require surgery.

“It’s probably an injury that six weeks ago he should have had an operation on it, but Saracens had rehabbed him and he’s come away from the game against the Ospreys feeling very sore.

“Our medical team had a look and want to rehab him extensively over next couple of weeks.”

News of Williams’ setback comes after it was revealed Dan Biggar is expected to miss the first three rounds of the Six Nations.

Asked how he plans to replace the fly-half, Gatland said on Wednesday: “We’ve got three options. From an attacking perspective, it’s pretty exciting in terms of which way we go.

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“Owen Williams has a bit of a disadvantage because he’s had to go back to Gloucester. The English-based players have that disadvantage. He’ll have to go back in the fallow weeks as well. The exciting thing is that we’re going to pick a player who hasn’t started in that position in the Six Nations.

“Opposition teams know Dan Biggar pretty well, so we could potentially have a fly-half that the opposition don’t know a lot about.”

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Bull Shark 12 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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