Wales wing could be Ospreys No9

Wales wing Shane Williams could be forced into emergency action as a scrum-half after an injury crisis hit the Ospreys.

Williams, who scored twice for the British & Irish Lions in the third Test win over the Springboks in July, could switch to scrum-half in the absence of fellow Wales star Mike Phillips and New Zealander Jamie Nutbrown.

The Ospreys are now short of cover in a pivotal position, with Phillips and Nutbrown joining Rhys Webb on the sidelines until at least the beginning of December.

Williams began his career as a No9 and was selected for the 2007 World Cup as third choice in that position so the move would not be entirely alien to the 2008 IRB World Player of the Year.

And with one of his regional coaches backing his ability to play scum-half at professional level, Williams’ potential switch could yet become a permanent one later in his career.

“Shane is a fantastic rugby player,” said Ospreys coach Jonathan Humphreys.

“He has everything tailored to be a very good scrum-half.

“People have said in the past that that will be his position one day as the years creep on. And I think he sees that as possibly where he will end up.

“In terms of the injuries and where we are, it’s a distinct possibility that Shane will start at nine for us this weekend.”

Williams could be called into scrum-half action against the Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday evening but he will still be available as a wing for the Invesco Perpetual Series games against New Zealand, Samoa, Argentina and South Africa next month.