Shane Williams: Fit but should he play?

Same question could also be posed about JD2. Wales look good with 1/2p and Lloyd Williams.
Any way a WC 1/4 final is no place for sentiment - and personally I feel Wales have a better chance of winning if Williams (Shane) is not selected.

Shane Williams is one of your genuine players that will perform consistently against the higher level teams.

As 1/2p could very well start as FB on the weekend, the question is more relevant of Byrne.

Based on form then the backs will be

15 1/2p
14 North
13 Davies
12 Roberts
11 Williams
10 Priestland
9 Phillips

Subs:
Byrne
S Williams
Jones
L Williams

My team would likely be on the lines of:
15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. Davies
12. Roberts
11. Williams
10. Priestland
9. Phillips
8. Faleatau
7. Warburton
6. Lydiate
5. Charteris
4. AWJ
3. Jones
2. Bennett
1. Jenkins

16. James
17. Burns
18. R Jones
19. B Davies
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Hook
22. Stephen Jones

I can see the logic of picking Byrne at full back - he can be counted on to take high balls more often than not and we'll get plenty of those sent our way on Saturday; but he's also (along with Mike Phillips) the Welsh back most likely to get sin-binned for something stupid and unnecessary like blocking an opponent chasing a kick or throwing away the ball to prevent a quick throw (Ireland v Wales 2010, anyone?). He's not a bright rugby player. Plus his idea of counter-attacking seems to be to launch a garryowen.

Would you be confident of Leigh Halfpenny taking a high ball with Ferris and O'Brien bearing down on him?

I'm not a fan of Hook at full back. He's no full back. But he can kick goals and that could be what swings selection in his favour.