Lions flanker Martyn Williams is free to play in next month’s autumn internationals despite being banned for two weeks.
The Cardiff Blues star will miss the Welsh derby with the Scarlets a week on Friday, as well as the Heineken Cup trip to Castres this weekend but will be free to turn out for Wales against Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.
Williams had being charged under the IRB’s Law 10.4(a) ‘A player must not strike an opponent with the knee(s)’ following an incident involving Chris Paterson in the Euro opener with Edinburgh last Saturday.
He is free to play again on October 27 meaning he would be available for the Blues’ trip to Aironi two days later if Wales coach Warren Gatland wants Williams to get game time before the opening Test against Australia on November 6.
Despite having just turned 35, Williams remains a key member of the Welsh set up.
With three successive Lions tours, two Grand Slams and a vast amount of experience under his belt, the veteran openside is expected to play a key role in next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
