Halfpenny at 15 but give Liam a free role
LLIAM Williams can now rightly lay claim to being one of the best players in the world but the question is whether Wales stick or twist with their Premiership and Champions Cup winner for the World Cup. It will prove crucial to their chances of success in Japan.
If you forget all the miracles he's produced for Saracens for a second – and there have been several of them – Liam has been absolutely sensational for Wales this season.
He has played predominantly at fullback for the national side with Leigh Halfpenny on the sidelines due to concussion, but now Leigh is back fit Warren Gatland faces an absolutely crucial decision.
Leigh missed the last tournament with that horror knee injuury but if this time everyone makes it to the tournament fully fit, Warren must decide whether to pick Liam at full-back or on the wing where he has played this season for Saracens.
It is not a new problem for Wales, but in my view it is one that is more important than ever for Warren to solve with more options out wide since the rise of Josh Adams.
If I was in charge I'd start Liam on the wing for the first game of the World Cup with Georgia and reinstate Leigh at full-back.
It is the safer choice of the available options and the right one in my view.
But it does not mean- Wales have to play a safe, non-exciting brand of rugby.
Wales' first-choice back three when everyone is fit is Leigh, right, at full-back with Liam and George North on the wings. That's incredibly harsh on Josh who has been nothing short of sensational since coming into the international set-up and was superb in the Six Nations.
What has really stood out for me about Liam is his work rate. He is equally adept at wing or full-back and at Saracens he faces a similar situation in terms of position with Alex Goode.
At Allianz Park it is usually Goode who plays at full-back, so it's not as if the Welshman is not used to playing out wide.
My message to Wales is to give Liam a free role for the World Cup. A licence to roam from the wing could see Liam tear up Japan and announce himself even further on the global stage.
When I used to play for Wales the coaches always used to say to me to try and maximise my touches around the field. That meant constantly coming off my wing, popping up in unexpected places, and generally being a nuisance to the opposition defence. That's what I want to see from Liam in Japan.
“I want to see Liam coming off his wing, popping up in unexpected places and being a nuisance”
In fairness to Wales' wingers, they have got much, much better at that in recent seasons. George in particular has really improved in that regard, but there is still work to be done. Sometimes Wales' attack can be a little bit too lateral. That might seem ultra critical following the Six Nations Grand Slam, but Wales are now operating among the world's elite.
When you are at that level and want to stay there, you have to maximise every inch and that is what Wales need to do. Liam's try against England in the 2017 Six Nations is something I'd like to see more of from Wales. If you remember that score it came from an attacking scrum in the 22. Ross Moriarty at No.8 popped the ball up to Rhys Webb and Scott Williams ran a superb inside dummy line from midfield. Liam, who was playing on the left wing that day, came the opposite way to Scott, hit the line, and made it through the gap for a great team score. It was simple, yet very effective rugby.
To trouble the best teams in the world in Japan, Wales will need to evolve their attacking game a touch, especially if we end up meeting New Zealand. Hopefully someone else can knock them out before it becomes a possibility! Attack coach Rob Howley will know that is the case and there is work to do. The good thing is Wales have a long period of time now to prepare and to work on certain things over the course of the summer. They don't need to reinvent the wheel because they have had a huge amount of success operating the way they have been in the last few years.
Let's not forget, they have won their last 14 matches and are ranked second in the world. Technically only the All Blacks are better than us right now. If Wales are to win the World Cup it is more than likely we may have to beat the best team in the world and in my opinion, Liam holds the key.
Warren might disagree with me and believe he should stay at full-back. Whatever ends up happening, I can't wait to see Liam at the World Cup. His exploits over a season to remember have seen him land a domestic and European double and a Grand Slam. It would be even sweeter if he could add global glory to those achievements.
