By Lestyn - 10/09/03
September 10 2003

Steve Hansen has omitted Gareth Williams from his World cup squad, the Blues player failed a late fitness test pulling his hamstring. Robin McBryde the other hooker who's place was in doubt will remain in the squad though.

On the same day Kevin Morgan was named in the Celtic Warriors starting line up for their game with Leinster, another injury prone player in Steve Hansen's squad was not so lucky.

With the Welsh coach largely undecided over which three of the four hooker in his squad he would take to Oz, it came down to simply fitness. Williams may not have been the unfitest, but he will miss the next crucial four weeks, after pulling his hamstring yesterday.

In my mind Williams was our most useful number two, so it could prove to be a big blow - with the old guard of McBryde and Mefin Davies the only real candidates for the position now. It may be just a few years too early for Ospreys youngster Huw Bennett to make an impression.

Cleary gutted the Hooker said; "It was nice to be in the reckoning but that does not stop me being absolutely shattered at the moment.

"These things are sent to test you and I will bounce back - that's life.