Shane Williams will hand Wales the perfect festive present with a New Year return.
Wales’ record try-scorer tore a hamstring in the autumn Test defeat to Australia in November. That sparked fears the Ospreys wing would miss the start of the RBS 6 Nations clash against England at Twickenham on February 6.
But Ospreys director of rugby Scott Johnson has revealed Williams is winning his fitness battle and is set to make a rapid return to action against Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues in the Magners League on New Year’s Day.
Johnson said: “Shane will definitely be back before the Six Nations. He is looking pretty good but we will monitor his progress over the festive period. But he has been diligent and is further down the track than we first thought.
“It’s a great Christmas present for the Ospreys and Wales because you can’t coach what Shane has got. He has to take all the credit for his swift return.”
It is a major boost for Wales coach Warren Gatland that the former IRB World Player of the Year will be available for the championship opener at HQ.
And the injury situation for Gatland is also improving with first-choice full-back Lee Byrne, prop Adam and skipper Ryan Jones back in action.
