Williams feels sorry for Carré but backs Gatland to thrive at the World Cup

Wales legend Shane Williams feels for discarded prop Rhys Carré but warned that with Warren Gatland, Wales players should get used that sort of ruthlessness. Carré was dumped from Welsh preparations for the upcoming World Cup, with a statement announcing that he had failed to meet individual performance targets. Ad That came after the Cardiff loosehead had initially been named in a 54-man squad in early May.

RugbyJenkins can step up to be Jones replacement, believes Williams19 HOURS AGO And Williams, who experienced Gatland's methods first-hand back in 2011, believes the decision may also have been a message to the remainder of the squad. He said: «I feel a bit for Rhys. He's a player who has had weight issues before and fitness and he's gone away and worked at it.

I know that Warren Gatland is ruthless in what he says but he says these things for a reason. »He wants the players to win and he wants the players to have no excuses, to go out there and do their best. Sometimes things can get handled a bit better but also it's a statement to the other players in the squad, if you drop your standards, I will get someone else in to come and do your job.

«I think that is the way Warren works and Rhys will have known this. I do feel for Rhys, and it potentially means he misses out on the World Cup. But it's also a kick up the backside to Rhys and to other players who might think they can take their foot off the gas.

»But I know Rhys, he's a lovely character as well and I feel for him in that respect. Who knows, maybe it will give him the boost he needs and it will give him another opportunity hopefully. That is international rugby I'm afraid." Wales head into the World Cup off the back of a Six Nations in which they won just