Scott Williams believes Jonathan Joseph’s absence for the World Cup match against England is a significant boost for Wales, with Sam Burgess’ space in midfield set to be targeted by Warren Gatland.
A chest injury suffered by Joseph during England’s opening victory over Fiji has ruled the Bath player out of Saturday’s Pool A fixture, with his club team-mate Burgess to move to inside-centre, sandwiched between the fly-half Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt in Stuart Lancaster’s new-look lineup.
Lancaster’s selection, expected to be confirmed on Thursday, has added fresh intrigue to a game that could decide who advances to the knockout stages. Wales have serious injury concerns of their own but the absence of Joseph is regarded as a plus by Williams.
When asked if he preferred defending against straight ball-carriers or players of Joseph’s type, the Wales centre said: “I know which one is a lot harder to defend, Jonathan Joseph. I wouldn’t say I prefer but it’s a bit different. You’ve just got to make your reads and put your tackles in.”
The midfield battle is set to be played out by unexpected personnel, with Williams and Jamie Roberts poised to go up against a triumvirate of Burgess, Barritt and Farrell. George Ford has lost his place at fly-half while Billy Vunipola will start for England in place of Ben Morgan, who is struggling with a knee injury.
Morgan is unlikely to make the matchday 23, with James Haskell expected to take his place among the replacements. There are fears that Joseph could miss the entire group stage but sources close to the player have allayed such concerns.
On Burgess and Barritt, Williams said: “They’re two top-class players, Barritt has got a lot of experience as well. If they are playing, it’s the first time they’re playing together but they’re both world-class players. If Farrell plays as well, he’s got a lot of experience. It’s going to be a strength for them. We’ll have to find a way to play through or around them.”
For Wales the full-back, Liam Williams, took part in training on Wednesday and is expected to face England despite sustaining a thigh injury in the win over Uruguay. However, Gatland is still waiting on the props Samson Lee and Paul James, both of whom were substituted against the South Americans with calf problems.
Rob Howley, the Wales assistant, described Burgess as an “imposing” presence and warned his space would need to be limited if England are to be hampered in midfield. “He’s an imposing figure,” said Howley of Burgess, who has only recently converted to union from rugby league.
“I was impressed when he played with [Henry] Slade against France. His ability to run hard lines and having that creative edge outside makes it more difficult defensively. It’s important against players like Sam to close down their space. It’ll be a challenge if Sam is playing at 12 at the weekend.
“Twelves in the game, whether Ma’a Nonu or Sonny Bill Williams or [Jean] De Villiers, it’s like ‘welcome to international rugby’. It’s the ability to have a creative mind-set as well. Jon Davies gave us that at 13 and you’ll see Scott [Williams] changing positions at the weekend. It’s important to get into that wide channel.”
On England’s selection at fly-half, he added: “I think having watched both fly-halves and coached one of them on the Lions tour in Owen Farrell, George Ford has been immense for England, his ability to play ball in hand. Owen is great with ball in hand, his running threat and his kicking very good. He likes pressured games.”
The Wales centre Cory Allen was this week ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring strainsidelined from World Cup action, the latest player to join Gatland’s lengthy injury list. Other absentees include Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb, Rhodri Jones and Eli Walker, and Wales have other props on stand-by if Lee and James are ruled out.
Howley said: “We’re waiting to make that call when we need to. We have already contacted Rugby World Cup and there is special dispensation for front rows which allows us to bring someone in even 24 hours before a game.”
