The 24-year-old has been named alongside Jamie Roberts in the heart of the backline for the titanic Rugby World Cup clash at Twickenham. Rugby league convert Burgess has been drafted in to replace the injured Jonathan Joseph while Owen Farrell replaces George Ford at outside-half.
And Williams cannot wait for the hostilities to commence on Saturday evening. He said: “Sam is a big, physical player so I’m sure he will be carrying the ball hard. We’ve just got to make our tackles, that’s the only thing I can say. We’ve got one in our team too. That will be an interesting battle, Jamie is a really good ball-carrier as well.
“They are two top-class players. Barritt has got a lot of experience as well. It is their first time playing together but they are both world-class players. If Farrell plays as well he’s got a lot of experience so it’s going to be a strength for them. We’re going to have to find a way through or around them.”
Williams, Roberts and the injured Jonathan Davies have been a major midfield force since Wales’ 2011 World Cup campaign. But this will be the first time Barritt and Burgess will play in the same Red Rose backline, and Williams hopes their familiarity can give Wales the edge.
He said: “As centres we have been together for about four years now so we have had plenty of time to get used to each other and have played with each other quite a bit. It is about understanding each other defensively and in attack, trying to second guess and be a step ahead of what you think the inside centre or outside centre is going to.
“It does help having played with each other quite a bit but I am sure they are both quality players and I am sure they have been playing with each other over the last couple of months.”
