There should be a deserved swagger in his stride when Warren Gatland returns to his day job, says Robin Davey. But the flexibility he showed in New Zealand, now needs to be extended to Wales. Warren Gatland will return to Wales if not exactly a conquering hero after his exploits with the Lions in New Zealand, then with his reputation enhanced before he has to face up to a whole series of problems. This time they’re not so much the difficult kind for a change, but more down to selection and style.

Liam Williams’ leap from dirt-tracker to Lions Test full-back has inspired the rest of the midweek back-up, according to Robbie Henshaw. Wales star Williams moved up the pecking order after his scintillating display against the Chiefs and justified his selection for the Eden Park Test on Saturday with his attacking intent. After the All Blacks won 30-15 in Auckland, Ireland centre Henshaw believes more Test places are up for grabs when the Lions play the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

The Lions have thrown down the gauntlet to the All Blacks, says Robin Davey, who argues Warren Gatland has thrown off his reputation for conservative game plans and familiar selection choices. The All Blacks may be world champions and they may reign supreme right now, but the British and Irish Lions are gunning for them. Perceptions that Lions coach Warren Gatland is a defensively-minded, negative type of coach have been thrown out of the window and it’s clear from his controversial team selection for the first Test in Auckland on Saturday that he means business.

Scott Williams has told his Scarlets teammates it is time to put right a decade of under-achievement by lifting the Guinness Pro12 trophy. The region face Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night as outsiders to lift the trophy, despite their stunning semi-final play-off victory over Leinster a week ago. Munster – who will be infused by a burning desire to mark the passing of Anthony Foley with a triumph in his honour – are the bookies’ favourites with most giving them a seven-point handicap.

Steve Tandy has promised his Ospreys team can ruin Liam Williams’ Scarlets farewell on Saturday by securing their place in the Guinness Pro 12 play-offs. The Ospreys travel to Parc y Scarlets on the final day of the regular season looking to join their neighbours in the knockout stages. Wales full-back and Lions tourist Williams will make his final appearance at his home ground ahead of his summer move to Saracens.

A fortnight ago he was celebrating his 200th game for the Scarlets and now he has an even bigger landmark to toast – becoming a British & Irish Lion. Ken Owens wonderful season simply gets better and better and now the 30-year-old is hoping to keep his side on track for a play-off place in the Guinness PRO12 before he heads to New Zealand for the second summer in a row.

The Lions are still caged in UK rugby, but in little more than two weeks we will know which players are to be unleased to take on the All Blacks. Robin Davey argues Wales will provide at least seven from a team that finished fifth in the Six Nations. Wales may have finished a lowly fifth in the recent Six Nations Championship, but there’s every chance they will have a healthy representation on the Lions tour to New Zealand this summer. And there’s a strong possibility they’ll provide the captain as well when the Lions bid to win the Test series in the home of world champions New Zealand.

Liam Williams believes Wales can still win the Six Nations even though it requires an England slip-up. The Scarlets full-back – who is joining Saracens at the end of the season – is convinced a title winners’ medal could be within his grasp if Wales can bounce back from defeat by beating Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The fall-out continues after Wales’ defeat to England, but Geraint Powell got his weekend rugby fix by watching U15s in the Dewar Shield. There were lessons, he says, in both matches. High quality coaching in rugby union is critical. Has been for decades. Always will be now.

Owen Farrell insists the Scarlets’ recent revival has been noted by European champions Saracens. The England No.10 believes the region are a different proposition this weekend to the team that lost at Sarries at the start of the Champions Cup tournament last October.

Scarlets captain Ken Owens has insisted no more could have been done to keep Liam Williams in Welsh rugby. Wales full-back Williams will line up for the Scarlets against his future employers Saracens on Sunday.

Liam Williams’ move from the Scarlets to Saracens for next season has been confirmed by both sides. The Wales full-back will complete the season with the Welsh region before joining the English and European champions.