Williams return boosts Cardiff for Brive clash

Liam Williams suffered a facial injury playing against former side Scarlets earlier this month

Liam Williams returns from a head injury for Cardiff's final group game of the European Challenge Cup at Brive.

Cardiff have already secured a top-four place in Pool A and a home last 16 tie.

A bonus-point win would mean they would top the group and potentially earn home quarter and semi-finals.

Williams is one of eight Cardiff players named in Wales head coach Warren Gatland's 2023 Six Nations squad.

Scrum-half Tomos Williams will lead the side out at Stade de Brive, captaining his home club for the first time in his career after missing out last week, partnering Rhys Priestland at half-back.

James Ratti will make his 50th Cardiff appearance at number eight, while Jason Harries is passed fit to line-up on the wing but Owen Lane, who crossed for a brace last week, is ruled out and replaced by Aled Summerhill - making his first appearance since early December.

International duo Ellis Jenkins and James Botham occupy the flanks, with the latter making his first start since recovering from injury.

"While we go into the game at the top of our pool, we cannot afford to take anything for granted and are expecting a really tough encounter in Brive," Cardiff director of rugby, Dai Young said.

"They have enjoyed some good form recently in the Top 14, with wins over Toulon, Clermont and Lyon, and like all French teams, they will be very strong at home.

"But we have selected a strong team and want to secure a win and the highest possible finish to give ourselves the best possible chance of progressing in the competition with home fixtures."

Brive are winless in their three games to date with only Newcastle Falcons below them in Pool A.

Cardiff's progress to the knockout stages was helped by the five-point deduction imposed on Bristol for fielding ineligible Elliott Stooke in the tournament.

Brive: Mathis Ferte; Arthur Bonneval, Setariki Tuicuvu, Setareki Bituniyata, Kevin Fabien; Nicolas Sanchez, Enzo Sanga; Wesley Tapueluelu, Motu Matu'u, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Julien Delannoy, Lucas Paulos, Tevita Ratuva, Said Hireche (capt), Retief Marais

Replacements: Nathan Fraissenon, Daniel Brennan, Tietie Tuimauga, Oskar Rixen, Sasha Gue, Leo Garbonneau, Enzo Herve, Wesley Douglas.

Cardiff: Liam Williams; Aled Summerhill, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Jason Harries; Rhys Priestland, Tomos Williams (capt); Rhys Carré, Kirby Myhill, Keiron Assiratti, Lopeti Timani, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Ellis Jenkins, James Ratti

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Brad Thyer, Will Davies-King, Rory Thornton, Seb Davies, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Lloyd Williams, Jarrod Evans

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)

Assistant referees: George Selwood & James Clarke (England)

TMO: David Rose (England)