Out-of-favour and oft-maligned Canterbury forward Tony Williams has reportedly been dropped for the side’s NRL clash on Sunday with the Wests Tigers.

After being named on a six-man bench by coach Des Hasler to take on the Tigers at ANZ Stadium, Fairfax Media reports the former Australian and NSW representative is set to be demoted to NSW Cup.

Frequently criticised to failing to live up to his potential, the off-contract 27-year-old is fighting for his future in the NRL.

After being dropped to the bench in the side’s last-start 20-12 upset loss to the embattled Parramatta, he looks set to run out on Saturday in Canterbury’s NSW Cup clash with Wentworthville at Belmore Sports Ground.

Williams followed Hasler to Belmore in 2013 after four years at Manly and faces a big battle to earn another contract or attract interest from a rival club.