Williams to wing it for Wales

Liam Williams will replace George North in the Wales side to face the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Williams' inclusion at left wing is one of three changes to the side that succumbed 34-16 to the All Blacks at the weekend. The other two changes come in the front row, where Gethin Jenkins and Scott Baldwin return alongside Samson Lee to form the same combination that packed down against Fiji.

The loss of North is a big blow for the Welsh, but Williams has shown some good touches when he has made it onto the field in recent Tests. However, Wales have been able to call on their French-based players for the match in Cardiff as they go in search of just their second win over the Boks.

'We have had a couple of changes forced upon us, with the injury to George and with Paul [James] and Richard [Hibbard] returning to their clubs but we have named what we think is a very strong side,' said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

'Last weekend was a very intense, physical encounter. The guys were disappointed but we have come in this morning, the squad are feeling fresh and the focus is looking ahead to Saturday and the Test against the Springboks.

'As coaches we will be asking for the same effort, intensity and desire as last week and we want a repeat of that at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.'

Wales – 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Subs: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 James King, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.

Test Teams (29 November)

Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images