Ali Williams has shown real humility and courage in overcoming a disastrous run of injuries. Picture / Getty Images
It is a fair indication of the respect Williams commands that the selectors were willing to overlook two years of inactivity and some patchy early Super 15 form to pick him for his third World Cup.
Williams can be a difficult character to read, though he would probably take umbrage with that. In his earlier days he was happy to play class clown - Comical Ali was a fitting sobriquet - yet bristled at the odd brickbats that came his way because of it.
But Williams showed real humility and no shortage of courage in returning from a disastrous run of Achilles tendon injuries. It is no stretch to say that the character he showed in overcoming adversity has given those less enamoured of Williams cause for a rethink.
Even returned to full fitness, he has no guarantee of starting. In his absence, Sam Whitelock has emerged as a lock of rare talent. If Williams does win the No 5 jersey, it will surely be a signal he has returned to his best form.
