Wales prop Gethin Jenkins admits he’s got a point to prove after finding himself on the bench in the last two autumn internationals.
Jenkins, who joined Toulon in France over the summer, started from the off in the disappointing defeat to Argentina but found himself on the bench in the losses to Samoa and New Zealand.
Bath’s Paul James was picked in his favour for last week’s pride-restoring performance against the All Blacks but he has returned to his club, ensuring Jenkins, who has 93 Wales caps and played a key role in this year’s RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam, is expected to start against Australia on Saturday.
And he revealed that sitting on the bench in the last two matches has given him a wake-up call.
“It’s been a bit of a kick up the backside for me I suppose the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“I want to go out in that team on Saturday and prove that I’m worthy of that loose-head position.
“Paul got the nod last week. I was obviously very disappointed. I backed the decision, backed Paul and came off the bench.
“It’s hard to switch yourself on when you are on the bench. When you start it’s a pretty different mentality.
“It will be different, but I’m used to starting for Wales normally.”