Williams warns Wales against World Cup complacency

Shane Williams has warned Wales against complacency ahead of a favourable looking Rugby World Cup group – admitting he is still scarred by an 'embarrassing' early exit in 2007. Wales have been drawn as the top seed in Pool C for this year's tournament and despite falling to ninth in the world rankings, will be favourites to progress alongside Australia ahead of Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.

Ad Wing wizard Williams was part of a squad who had their World Cup dreams shattered by Fiji in 2007 and has urged Warren Gatland's side to be at the top of their game from the first kick off this time round. RugbyShock retirement won't impact Alun Wyn Jones' legacy, says Gareth ThomasA MINUTE AGO «Don't take anything for granted,» said Williams.

«A World Cup is over in a heartbeat and if you go in complacent and look towards the knockout stages before you've kicked a ball, then you can be in a world of hurt. »You look at Portugal and this could be their last World Cup for a long time.

They will give absolutely everything so they are a dangerous side in that respect. «The beauty of a World Cup is that sometimes there is a giant-slaying, a drubbing or some of the best rugby ever played.» Wales needed a win over Fiji in their final pool game of the 2007 tournament to advance to the quarter-finals but were stunned by a 38-34 defeat to the pacific islanders in what was captain Gareth Thomas' final match as an international.

Williams has never forgotten the disappointment that followed that shock exit and wants the current crop of Welsh stars to avoid that sense of regret. «We played some good rugby until that point and then tried to beat Fiji at their own game with an open, expansive game which backfired to say the least,» said Williams,