The Scarlets full-back is one of six changes made by head coach Wayne Pivac for the game in Llanelli.
Owen Watkin, Gareth Davies, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands and Shane Lewis-Hughes also start the game at Parc y Scarlets as Wales look to get back to winning ways.
Here, Williams looks ahead to the unusual prospect of playing a Wales match at his home regional venue, marking an historic day for Alun Wyn Jones, and getting a victory…
Question: Is it good to be back in the team?
Liam Williams: “It’s great. It’s been a long time obviously with lockdown and I played in the Six Nations match before that. I had a hit out last week and I am ready to go this week.”
Q: The news of JJ Williams’ passing was sad ahead of the game?
LW: “We heard the news on Thursday morning. I’d like to send our thoughts out to his friends and family. It’s never easy when someone passes away, especially a legend of the game, so we send our thoughts out to his friends and family and we will try to get the win on the weekend.”
Q: How important will the aerial game be this weekend?
LW: “It is going to be huge this weekend. The boys have been down to Parc y Scarlets to kick. It’s a bit windy, blustery, and wet as well so it is going to be huge at the weekend.
“We didn’t play too well aerially out in France so it is a big test for us and a big add-on for us this week. I am sure we will be able to get a few balls back at the weekend.”
Q: Do Wales have a point to prove this weekend?
LW: “It was disappointing last weekend but that is why that game was there, to get back into international rugby and to put us in good stead for the game this weekend against Scotland.
“We have trained hard all week, especially aerially, and we are looking forward to the challenge on the weekend.”
Liam Williams (left) and Dan Biggar in training ahead of facing Scotland
Q: What will it be like playing a Wales game at Parc y Scarlets?
LW: “It is going to be a bit of a strange one but we go there to do a job and that is to win a Six Nations match. It is what it is. We’ll try to get our heads around it and get the win.”
Q: Is it important to get the win this weekend to mark Alun Wyn Jones’ milestone of becoming rugby’s most capped player?
LW: “Our objective is just to win the game. It doesn’t matter who it’s for.
“Alun is going to be breaking the world record for caps, but that’s for him individually. You can’t see that as an advantage for us as a team.
“It looks an incredible achievement, but as for this weekend, we’re going to win – or we’re trying to win – for our country, for ourselves, and for everyone else. That’s what we want to do first and foremost.
Q: Does this feel like a new beginning after so long since last the Six Nations match?
LW: “The last Six Nations match was about six months ago, so it does feel strange. But it’s another match in the Six Nations, so that’s what matters. We’ll just go out there and do our best.
Q: What challenge do Scotland and their players pose?
LW: “I’m happy to play against anyone. Scotland have always had a good back three, especially with Stuart Hogg in there. And I’m sure the weather is going to play a part this weekend.
“It’s going to be a big aerial battle. Finn Russell is a very clever player, isn’t he?
“He’s very good with the ball in hand and a good footballer with loads of tricks up his sleeve. We’ve been working on a couple of things this week to try to keep him in his box.
“The France game was about getting back into the feel of international rugby and the boys had a good blow-out last weekend, but this week is what matters. A win is definitely what we need and what we’re aiming for.”
