A little more than three weeks remain until Wales open their autumn series against New Zealand, and their chances have suffered a big blow after learning Liam Williams may miss the fixture.
The full-back is yet to begin the 2021/22 club campaign after travelling to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions earlier this summer, but surgery for appendicitis has further delayed his return to action.
The All Blacks visit Cardiff's Principality Stadium on October 30 having recently won the Rugby Championship for the seventh time in nine editions.
New Zealand are once again the top-ranked nation in the world following that triumph, and they'll now embark on a tour of the northern hemisphere that sees them face the Unites States, Wales, Italy, Ireland and France.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac will have been hoping to have Williams on board as one of his elite stars, but his participation in the autumn series now looks to be in jeopardy.
Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that the Swansea native will not play for his club during the month of October, with no certain return date as things stand.
“Liam unfortunately came down with appendicitis, so he’s had an operation.
“He won’t be available [to face Munster] because he’s had his appendix removed.
“He’s okay, he’s back in the club but it’s just unfortunate timing for him and us really. He’ll be out for this period.
“It’s not clear yet but I can’t imagine he’ll play for us in this block of games.”
When quizzed on whether Williams would be fit in time for October 30, Peel replied: “He won’t be fit for us, I don’t think, no.”
It seems unimaginable that Pivac would throw the 30-year-old into the fixture after nearly three months free of rugby, with Williams' last appearance coming in the Lions' series-settling defeat to South Africa on August 7.
The Wales coach is left in something of a quandary regarding his options at full-back, with Leigh Halfpenny also some way from a return having injured knee ligaments facing Canada in July.
Williams has risen to establish himself as Wales' go-to option in the No. 15 jersey, having previously been forced to settle for time on the wing during Halfpenny's hay day.
But he's now the recognised choice at full-back when all options are fully fit, crossing for 16 tries in his 71 caps and helping Wales reclaim the the Six Nations title earlier in 2021.
Wales already know they'll be without Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit, Taulupe Faletau and Callum Sheedy against New Zealand.
All four of those players are based with Premiership clubs in England, who aren't required to release them owing to the fact this fixture falls just outside the international Test window.
Pivac might have called upon 20-year-old Ioan Lloyd as a potential Williams replacement, but the twice-capped starlet is also likely to still be with club Bristol Bears.
Cardiff-based Hallam Amos or Dragons utility Jonah Holmes could be considered as alternatives for the role.
Williams may miss the New Zealand fixture but will hope to be back for games against South Africa, Fiji and Australia in November, although a lack of match fitness may still be a concern.
