Liam Williams doubtful for Wales' clash against New Zealand

Wales fullback Liam Williams is set to miss the autumn international opener against New Zealand to be played on Saturday.

The 30-year-old has not played since featuring for the British and Irish Lions during the tour of South Africa after he underwent an appendix operation earlier this month.

Even though he has resumed training with Wales, attack coach Stephen Jones said they are unlikely to rush Williams for the encounter against New Zealand despite the fact that the likes of Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Louis Rees-Zammit, Taulupe Faletau, Nick Tompkins, Thomas Young and Christ Tshiunza are set to be unavailable as the game falls outside the traditional international window.

Wayne Pivac's side also will have to deal with the injury crisis as Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, George North, Dan Lydiate, James Botham and full-back Leigh Halfpenny are ruled out of the entire autumn international series.

"Liam is back training, which is great. He has not had many sessions this season, so we are trying to improve him with every session," said Jones on Monday.

"He is working very hard because he wants to play and he wants to prove that. But we, as coaches and fitness coaches, understand where he is.

"It is important that we remember that we've got more games in November, so we have to be clever with how we use Liam.

"In fairness, we are fully aware that it would be a big ask of Liam (to be fit for New Zealand), but he is doing everything he can to be available. He is ticking every box, but you do need some volume in the legs as well."

Following the game against New Zealand, Wales will also lock horns with South Africa, Fiji and Australia.