Liam Williams and Samson Lee declared fit for Wales' World Cup opener

Liam Williams and Samson Lee have given Wales a double boost by being declared fit for their opening World Cup game against Uruguay on Sunday week.

Wales were left reeling earlier in the week when Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb were ruled out of the tournament after sustaining injuries against Italy on Saturday.

In Halfpenny's absence, Williams - who has not played since having foot surgery in June - is likely to take over full-back duties with Alex Cuthbert and George North on the right and left wings respectively.

Scarlets tighthead Lee ruptured his Achilles tendon against Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations and took no part in Wales' three World Cup preparation matches, but now looks poised to start against Uruguay.

"Samson and Liam have taken a full part in training," said Wales assistant coach Rob Howley. "Samson has taken a full part in scrummaging as well, and he has continued to do that.

"Time on the rugby field is pretty important to any professional player, and the length of time both those players have been out, you can expect them to be likely starting against Uruguay in that first game."

Webb's World Cup squad replacement Mike Phillips and Ospreys wing Eli Walker, called up earlier this week instead of Halfpenny, are now fully involved at Wales' base in the Vale of Glamorgan.

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Gatland selected Webb, Gareth Davies and Lloyd Williams as his scrum-halves for the tournament, and Howley has showered praise on 33-year-old Phillips for the impressive way he reacted to his omission.

"The way he dealt with not being selected, first and foremost, was a huge plus and a positive for us," Howley said.

"Mike accepted that decision and wanted the best for Rhys, Lloyd and Gareth. He has that experience, he is a street-fighter, and the physical attributes of his game are there for everyone to see.

"I think we are fortunate from a national perspective to call on someone of Mike's ability and physicality.

"Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, you will be able to see some of the stronger points of his game."

With Halfpenny absent from World Cup duty, principal goal-kicking duties will now pass to fly-half Dan Biggar, and Howley has no doubt about Biggar's ability to step up in Test rugby's pressure-cooker environment.

"Dan has taken over the duties several times from Leigh in the past, notably in the Wales-England game in 2013, and he kicked last Saturday as well. He is a quality kicker.

"The challenge for Dan - and he's matched this challenge in the regional game - is to kick and play, to be a kicker and a playmaker at international level. I have no doubt he has the qualities.

"There may be a 10-metre difference (in goal-kicking range between Halfpenny and Biggar) which changes the landscape a bit, because instead of kicking for goal, we will be kicking for the corner.

"In terms of scoring tries, that will give us the ability to increase the pressure in the opposition 22."