Wales v Pacific Isles: The Pacific Islanders may have had less than a week to prepare for their first ever match in Europe but Wales have no reason to be complacent today.
Not only have they gone six matches without a victory but they were supremely fortunate to beat Fiji in Cardiff a year ago through a last-minute drop-goal. And by making 14 changes to the side that drew with Australia a week ago the Wales coach Gareth Jenkins is offering some succour to the tourists.
He contends the line-up is just as strong but, with only three survivors from the 2005 grand slam, compared with 10 seven days ago, it is essentially second-string but far from second-rate.
Jenkins, still looking for his first victory as coach, has enviable strength in depth but there are still areas where Wales need more cover: there is no one remotely close to Martyn Williams at openside flanker while Michael Owen, a grand slam backrow, is in the second row.
The Islanders' team consists largely of players who earn livings in Europe and their coaches, Pat Lam and Shane Howarth, have considerable experience in Britain; the latter won 19 caps for Wales between 1998 and 2000 and played in the first match at the Millennium Stadium, against South Africa seven years ago.
"I went back to the stadium last weekend and took some of the players with me," said Howarth. "I had told them what to expect but it was only afterwards that they understood.
"Wales have as strong a squad as they have had for some time and I admire the way they play. I like the fact they were grumpy after drawing with Australia, something that, when I was playing, would have earned everyone the Monday off. It shows how ruthless and ambitious they now are."
The Islanders' captain, Simon Raiwalui, also has experience of Welsh rugby, having played for Newport for four years before joining Saracens in 2003.
"They were the best years of my career and it was gut-wrenching to leave," said the secondrow, who came out of international retirement last year.
"This tour is our equivalent of playing for the Lions and we will be out to leave our mark."
That is not just through their tackling.
"Islanders are stereotyped for their hard hits but there is far more to our game than that," said Lam. "The experience most of the guys have had in Europe has made them more rounded as players and we will be looking to entertain." Guardian Service
WALES: Morgan; Byrne, Parker, Hook, M Jones; Sweeney, Phillips; D Jones (capt,), R Thomas, Horsman; Owen, Sidoli; Wyn Jones, G Thomas, Popham. Replacements: Bennett, A Jones, G Jenkins, J Thomas, Cooper, Evans, Williams.
PACIFIC ISLANDS: Ligairi; Fa'atau, Rabeni, Mapasua, Tagicakibau; Pisi, Rauluni; Va'a, Schwalger, Taumoepeau; Raiwalui (capt), Leo; Sititi, Latu, T-Polei. Replacements: Lutui, Johnson, Molitika, Taione, Poluleuligaga, Bai, Ratuvou.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).
Warning for Scots: Scotland international Scott Murray insists talk of racking up tries against Romania at Murrayfield today (2.30) will count for nothing if the team neglect the basics.
Scotland head coach Frank Hadden had voiced a desire to see the team "smash" Romania.
But Murray (30) has warned his team-mates not to put the cart before the horse.
"We played Romania last year and, although we beat them 39-19 in the end, it was still a very tough game for us," he said. "Now they have all their France-based players back, so it is going to be even tougher."
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