Liam Williams has been released back to club side Scarlets to get match fit ahead of Wales’ final Guinness Six Nations clash next weekend.
The full-back has made just one start since suffering an ankle injury in the World Cup last year, playing on the wing against England in Round 4 of the 2020 Championship.
However, a foot injury has prevented him for playing for club side Scarlets since rugby’s resumption in August.
Wales complete their 2020 campaign against Scotland next weekend and prepare for that by facing France in a warm-up match on Saturday night, while Scarlets are away at Benetton in the PRO14 on Friday.
Williams’ fellow wing Jonah Holmes has also been released from the squad and will return to club side Dragons. Both players will return to the Wales camp on Monday.
Their absence means George North, Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit are in contention to start on the wing against Les Bleus, who won their Championship encounter 27-23 in Cardiff earlier this year.
Williams will only strengthen those options and skill coach Neil Jenkins is excited to have him back in the squad.
“I see quite a few members of our squad who can play minimal or no rugby, but turn up and win a Test match. Liam would be in that category. He’s a world-class player as far as I am concerned,” he said.
Wales are also without prop Tomas Francis and lock Will Rowlands, who are playing in the English Premiership final on Saturday, while flanker Josh Navidi looks set to miss the match as he goes through concussion protocols.
