Liam Williams will not be available for Wales in their Six Nations opener against Ireland next month, after receiving a three-game ban for a dangerous tackle.

The Scarlets back-three star was suspended following the red card he received in last week's PRO14 game versus the Cardiff Blues.

Williams was sent off for making contact with the head of a Cardiff player while entering a ruck during the first half of the game, which the Scarlets would go on to lose by nine points.

This afternoon he was given a suspension for the "next three meaningful fixtures for which he is fit and available for selection".

One of those games will definitely be the Six Nations opener for Wales against Ireland in Cardiff on Sunday February 7th, and he could also be forced to sit out their clash with Scotland a week later, unless the Scarlets are pencilled in for a PRO14 game in next week's vacant slot.

The punishment could have been worse for the 2017 British and Irish Lion. The entry point suspension of four weeks was reduced to three owing to the remorse shown by the player, despite Williams reacting to his red card last week by asking the referee if they were now playing "touch rugby".

The full disciplinary report issued by the PRO14 reads:

"Liam Williams of Scarlets Rugby has been banned for a period of three games following a Judicial Process that took place on January 12, resulting from the red card he received during Round 11 of the Guinness PRO14.

"The Player was shown a red card during the Cardiff Blues v Scarlets game on January 8 at Cardiff City Stadium by referee Craig Evans (WRU) under Law 9.20 (b) – A Player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.

"The Disciplinary process for the red card offence was presided over by Judicial Officer Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (SRU). The Player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. The incident was found to merit a mid-range entry point, which indicates a four-week suspension for this offence.

"The Judicial Officer determined that there were factors, including the player’s remorse, which warranted mitigation of one week. The Player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful fixtures for which he is fit and available for selection," the statement concluded.

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