Williams last man out of Welsh squad

Hooker Gareth Williams has been left out of the Wales squad for the World Cup.

The Cardiff Blues forward, one of four hookers in a 31-man party, was the player left out when coach Steve Hansen named his final 30 today.

Hansen had been keeping his options open as he awaited fitness reports but Williams’ failure to overcome a hamstring injury has forced his thinking.

Hansen said: “Gareth pulled a hamstring yesterday and won’t be fit to play for four weeks.

“Unfortunately for Gareth that means we can’t take him as, if he is not right in four weeks time, we would have to replace him.