Ospreys centre Scott Williams has been called into the Wales squad in place of the injured Willis Halaholo for Saturday's match against Barbarians.

Halaholo will have surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament after he was hurt during Cardiff Blues' 14-11 European Challenge Cup defeat by Leicester on Saturday.

Williams had been training with Wayne Pivac's squad since Halaholo's injury.

The 58-times capped centre missed out on selection for the World Cup.

Pivac named three specialist centres in his original squad, with New Zealand-born Halaholo joined by Hadleigh Parkes and Owen Watkin, for his first match since taking over from Warren Gatland.

Halaholo only qualified for Wales on residency at the start of November.

A statement on the Cardiff Blues' website said he will have an operation next week.

Williams, a Grand Slam winner with Wales in 2012, won a Pro12 title with Pivac at Scarlets.

He has returned from a serious back injury that ruled him out for most of last season and Pivac last week explained why the centre was not in the initial party to face the Barbarians on 30 November.

"I know a lot about him," said Pivac.

"I coached him for four years and he's been a very, very good player for me in the past. We've won a championship together."