Shane Williams: 'I would keep faith with George Ford'

Shane Williams has admitted that he feels Stuart Lancaster's decision to drop George Ford for Saturday's match with Wales is harsh on the England fly-half.

Despite emerging as England's first-choice at No.10 this year and starting the 35-11 win against Fiji in the World Cup opener last Friday, reports have suggested that Ford will make way for Owen Farrell at Twickenham this weekend.

Former Wales wing Williams believes that the change has been made to address defensive issues, but he admits that he would have kept faith with Ford.

"I feel a little bit for Ford. I feel he's a great player," Williams told reporters. "He had a fantastic Six Nations; didn't particularly do anything wrong on the weekend against Fiji. However, I think Lancaster's looking at the physicality in that midfield.

"Perhaps he's thinking that Jamie Roberts or Scott Williams are looking to run down that 10 channel and perhaps he believes Owen Farrell's a better defender.

"So, yes, a strange decision for me, I would have gone with Ford."

Lancaster is also expected to hand starts to Sam Burgess and Billy Vunipola in place of Jonathan Joseph and Ben Morgan.