Liam Williams set to feature in Six Nations opener against Ireland

Liam Williams is set to be involved in Wales' RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland on Sunday - despite only playing marginally over an hour of rugby since last year's World Cup.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde said that "everything is good" following Williams' return from a lengthy injury layoff for Scarlets in last Saturday's Guinness PRO12 clash against Connacht.

Williams limped out of Wales' World Cup campaign during the pool stage loss to Australia at Twickenham back in October, having suffered a troublesome foot injury.

But his return to domestic action ahead of the Six Nations is a timely one given the versatility he offers Wales boss Warren Gatland of being able to play both wing and fullback, with regular number 15 Leigh Halfpenny still sidelined as he too continues his recovery from a pre-World Cup injury.

Gatland is due to name his team for the visit to the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, with the return of Williams and Ospreys flanker Dan Lydiate currently commanding most attention.

Lydiate had been sidelined since New Year's Day due to a combined shoulder/neck problem, although he did train with Wales over the past week.

"Liam had 60 minutes under his belt, and everything is good with him," McBryde said. "And Dan Lydiate has joined back in full training.

"Things went as well as they could for Liam. He won definitely one of the collisions he was involved in (against Connacht), and he was pretty secure under the high ball.

"It was difficult circumstances for him, but from our point of view he has come through unscathed.

"Whether he is fit enough to start an 80 minutes, we will wait and see, but he is certainly fit enough to play some sort of part."

On Lydiate, McBryde added: "We have to look at each individual and how much game-time they need before they get back to full fitness.

"There is a discussion to be had with Dan. One thing we have seen in a positive light is that he has taken part in our training sessions, which are quite intense.

"He has come through those scenarios. They (training sessions) are not a game, but we have tested each other out, and on the back of that he has come through.

"That will be in the mix when we discuss selection."

Wales captain Sam Warburton, meanwhile, despite playing just one game since late November after suffering an ankle injury - against Calvisano on January 22 - was not released by Gatland for Cardiff Blues' PRO12 appointment with Edinburgh three days ago.

"Sam does not need a lot of game-time and he is straight back up there," McBryde said.

"Warren held him back, and made the decision to keep him with us.

"It was hard to manage last week because we lost the English and French boys (to their clubs) towards the end of the week, which left us with 10 or 11 boys on the Friday and Saturday sessions."

If Lydiate is not considered for Dublin, it is likely that Warburton would move from openside to blindside flanker, with in-form Ospreys number seven Justin Tipuric handed a starting berth.