Louis Rees-Zammit has handed Wales a timely Six Nations fitness boost, overcoming an ankle injury in time for the start of the tournament.
The European showpiece kicks off on February 1 as Wayne Pivac’s side welcome Italy to Cardiff and teenage sensation Rees-Zammit looks set to be fit for that game.
He became an injury concern when he limped out of Gloucester’s defeat to Toulouse at the weekend but the early signs are good and he was scheduled to join training today [Wednesday].
“Louis picked up a bit of a bump last week, he’s worked well with the medical team and he’ll hopefully be training this morning, doing some running with the boys,” Pivac said.
“He’ll go back to his club this weekend and then we’ll get him back next week.”
There is also positive news on full-back Liam Williams and centre Owen Watkin, with both on track to be fit for the trip to Dublin in the second round of the competition.
Williams has not played since suffering an ankle injury in the build up to the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa, which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Watkin is battling back from a knee injury he suffered in December.
Both players are likely to miss the first round of action.
“Liam is on for round two of the competition, he won’t make the first game,” Pivac added.
“But he’s on track for Ireland in round two."
On Watkin, the Wales coach said: "He’ll hopefully take part in full training next week. He’s improving.
“He did some straight line running [on Tuesday], so hopefully he’ll be up and running next week. Possibly available for round one but more than likely round two.”
