Williams loss rocks Wales

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Williams, scorer of 45 tries in 62 Tests and last season's top Six Nations finisher, will miss the Millennium Stadium showdown due to an ankle injury.

England manager Johnson said: "They have lost a very good player, a guy who can turn a game with a bit of skill."

Williams will be replaced in the starting line-up by Scarlets wing Mark Jones, who wins his 44th cap after recently recovering from appendix surgery.

But the loss of Williams is a big blow for Wales head coach Warren Gatland, with his team targeting a third successive Six Nations win against England.

Williams, speaking before his withdrawal was confirmed at Friday afternoon's Wales captain's run, admitted he had done everything possible to recover in time.

"Five days ago after twisting my ankle at Murrayfield, I thought I had no hope of being fit for the England game," he said, in his Powerade blog.

"I actually thought it could even be broken, but it proved to be just a bit of ligament damage, and every day since then I have steadily felt better and better. I have been having intense physiotherapy sessions around the clock, as I am desperate not to miss this game.

"They really don't come much bigger than England in Cardiff."

Wales though, moved to allay any fitness fears surrounding number eight Andy Powell, who experienced a calf muscle twinge during training on Thursday morning.