Edwards aiming to beat the odds

Shaun Edwards accepts history is not on Wales' side in their quest to topple the Tri-Nations heavyweights this month.

Wales have played the southern hemisphere super-powers 31 times since rugby union's professional era dawned just over 13 years ago.

But the reigning Six Nations champions can reflect on just two victories - against South Africa (1999) and Australia (2005) - plus a draw against the Wallabies in 2006.

The 28 defeats during that period saw Wales concede a total of more than 1,100 points, while scoring under 500.

It is little wonder then that bookmakers have installed world champions South Africa as red-hot favourites to beat Wales in next Saturday's autumn series opener at the Millennium Stadium.

New Zealand and Australia will follow the Springboks to Cardiff, with Wales defence coach Edwards admitting: "History doesn't suggest we will win all the November games."

Wales though have shown an ability to tough it out during the seven-Test reign of head coach Warren Gatland and his trusty lieutenants Edwards and Rob Howley.

Those battling qualities underpinned Six Nations away wins against England and Ireland last season. It is a trait Edwards knows must permeate a punishing November schedule.

He added: "The challenge of playing against the world champions on our turf in front of a packed house is very exciting.

"And I do feel having been in those tight situations, such as against England and then Ireland, will be of benefit.

"I would like to think it will give the players strength to battle through those times in a game - and every team has them in a Test match of the highest standard - when you are on the rack.

"The world rankings in the last few years have been dominated by southern hemisphere teams.

"England won the World Cup in 2003, but the International Rugby Board rankings are usually dominated by the big three from the southern hemisphere.

"While we are incredibly proud of being Six Nations champions and achieving the Grand Slam, we also want to compare ourselves to the best.

"We are expecting South Africa to create the ultimate challenge. Warren is an incredibly competitive person, and he wants to compare his team against the Tri-Nations sides."

Gatland will announce his starting line-up tomorrow, with Cardiff Blues pair Leigh Halfpenny and Andy Powell expected to make their Test debuts.

The 19-year-old Halfpenny is primed to replace injured Scarlets wing Mark Jones, with Powell lining up at number eight alongside back-row colleagues Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams.

Powerful Blues back Jamie Roberts, meanwhile, is likely to feature at outside centre - his short Test career has already seen him play at full-back and on the wing - alongside midfield partner Gavin Henson.

It will be Henson's first Test appearance since last season's Six Nations title-clinching success against France, and comes after just four appearances for the Ospreys this term.

Edwards said: "If you look historically at the Welsh team, there is no doubt Gavin Henson has had a good impact when he has played.

"The team has won a lot more than they have lost. We are more than happy to have Gavin back.

"As regards whether he is fit enough, he looks in great condition, his strength is superb in the gym, and you can only play yourself back into match fitness.

"The more matches he gets under his belt, the better.

"I hope he has a similar impact to what he had in the last Six Nations. He has been solid in defence for us, and he has been a real threat with ball in hand.

"He is a guy who can make the half-break, and he also has a very big boot on him, when needed."

Wales hooker Huw Bennett, meanwhile, was due to undergo a scan on his injured ankle before Gatland finalises the team.

Bennett limped out of Ospreys' EDF Energy Cup defeat against London Irish on Sunday, although initial suggestions were he had suffered nothing more than a minor strain.

The three hookers in Gatland's 32-man autumn Test squad are Bennett, his Ospreys colleague Richard Hibbard and Scarlets forward Matthew Rees.