With Cory Allen another centre added to Wales’ injury list, Williams would have expected to face Tonga last Friday after appearing against the Springboks and in the subsequent trouncing of Argentina, but he strained ligaments in a big toe.
Now, that does hurt. But it was already only through the indisposition of others, namely Davies and Roberts, that he had come into the XV. At 23, he has 22 caps that would have been more but for these exceptional Welsh Lions.
“This is a big chance. The injuries are unlucky for those players, but that’s how it is in rugby, injuries being part of the job and sometimes you have to miss a couple of games,†said Williams.
“It was disappointing in the first game against South Africa. It was a brutal game. But to have a good win over Argentina was a good way to respond and it’s much better starting a game than being on the bench for it.â€
Williams has already once been a match-winner for Wales as a replacement, in the 19-12 victory over England at Twickenham last year that propelled Wales towards the Six Nations Grand Slam.
But he still deserves sympathy – Roberts and Davies have ensured 15 of his caps have been from the bench.
Mike Phillips looks set to be handed a lifeline in France – but only if he halts legal action against Bayonne after he was sacked for allegedly arriving drunk at a team meeting.
The Wales scrum-half is wanted by Racing-Metro but president Jacky Lorenzetti, close friends with Bayonne boss Alain Afflelou, will not sign him amid the threat of legal action.
Tickets for the best seats – about a quarter of the 82,000 capacity – at the 2015 Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham will cost £715, some £100 more than at the football World Cup final in Brazil next year.
The RFU will have an £80million guarantee to pay to the International Board.
The cheapest adult tickets during the pool stage will be as low as £15. England will kick off all four pool matches at the time of 8pm.
Wales" Scott Williams aims to take his chance against Australia
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