Rugby Union: Islanders Aim to Hit Alternative Wales Running

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. 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 that 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, who is still looking for his first victory as coach, has an enviable strength in depth but there are still areas where Wales need more cover: there is no one remotely close to Martyn Williams at open-side flanker while Michael Owen, a grand slam back- row, is in the second row. Attention will be lavished on James Hook, the fly-half who is appearing in the centre.

The Islanders' team consists largely of players who earn their 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 considerable 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 second-row, 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."

Scotland's lock Scott Murray has urged his side not to be complacent in their first competitive game at Murrayfield this season, against Romania today. Their head coach, Frank Hadden, has said he wants his side to "smash" their opponents, though Murray cautioned: "They're going to be massive up front and we are going to have to cope with that before we even think about running in tries."