Williams the Wallabies’ inside man

KNOW thine enemy. And there is no one in Australian rugby who knows more about Ireland and Declan Kidney than Jim Williams.

The former Munster captain will once again be relied upon heavily by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans this week, as Australia bid to bounce back from last weekend’s narrow defeat to England. Williams, the Wallabies’ assistant and forwards coach, has the inside line on all things Irish, particularly issues of a red hue.

Deans admitted earlier this week that he knew little about the relative rookies in the Irish back row. But he doesn’t need to because that’s where Williams comes in.