France v Wales, Six Nations, Stade de France, March 19
Williams' farewell wrecked by knee injury
ESPNscrum Staff
March 15, 2011
Wales' Shane Williams applauds the Millennium Stadium crowd, Wales v Ireland, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, March 12, 2011
Shane Williams has been ruled out with a knee injury © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Shane Williams
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: France | Wales

Wales wing Shane Williams has been denied a farewell to the Six Nations against France on Saturday by a knee injury.

Williams, Wales' record try-scorer with 53, was injured during their 19-13 victory over Ireland on Saturday. He is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with posterior cruciate ligament damage, although he will not require surgery.

The 34-year-old intends to call time on his international career following this year's Rugby World Cup, meaning that he will have no further chance to equal the Championship scoring record, which is currently jointly held by Brian O'Driscoll and Ian Smith.

"Shane will be out of action for a period of six to eight weeks after sustaining damage to the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the match at the weekend," said Prav Mathema, Wales' medical manager.

"Thankfully there is no need for surgical intervention, and he will now undergo a period of rehabilitation which will see him return to full fitness."

Williams' replacement in the starting line-up for Paris, which Wales coach Warren Gatland will announce on Thursday, is expected to be George North or Morgan Stoddart.

North, 18, had already been added to the squad along with tight-head Adam Jones, so no further call-ups are on the cards. The Scarlets youngster scored two tries on his Wales debut against South Africa in November, but then suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out of contention until recently.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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