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Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac backs Liam Williams, Gareth Davies to make impact

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac expects his players Liam Williams and Gareth Davies to make an impact at the Rugby World Cup, following injuries to Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb.

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac has backed his players Liam Williams and Gareth Davies to make an impact for Wales at the Rugby World Cup.

Wales picked up two serious injuries in their final warm-up game against Italy, seeing both Toulon full-back Leigh Halfpenny and Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb ruled out of the tournament that starts in just over a week's time.

While Pivac understands that the loss of two key players is a blow to the country's hopes of success at the World Cup, he feels that full-back Williams and scrum-half Davies are well equipped to replace their injured teammates.

"In terms of Gareth, they will have a view of who they want to start and who they want to bring off the bench, but he will certainly be in the forefront of their minds now," the New Zealander told the South Wales Evening Post.

"He was the top try-scorer in the Pro12 the year before last and he is very similar to Rhys Webb in terms of his running game and his strength around the fringes.

Speaking about Williams, who is still recovering from foot surgery, Pivac said: "Wales are blessed to have two quality full-backs in Leigh Halfpenny and Liam.

"Both are very good under the high ball, both positionally are good players, bring the ball back well and their vision and counter-attack is great.

"Liam is still getting over a foot injury, but I am excited about him getting opportunities in that 15 jersey because he is a very good player."

Wales have added Mike Phillips and Eli Walker to their squad as replacements for Halfpenny and Webb.

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Colm Hayes
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Rhys Webb of Wales goes over to score the opening try during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and England at the Millennium Stadium on February 6, 2015
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