Wales assistant coach Rob Howley believes that recent injuries to key players could benefit the squad as a whole in the long run.

Aaron Jarvis, Bradley Davies, Jamie Roberts and Ryan Jones have all been ruled out of the weekend Test match against Australia. Meanwhile, as many as five other first-team players are unavailable for the autumn clash.

However, Howley told reporters: "The injuries during this autumn campaign have challenged our strength in depth in many areas. But further down the line I am sure we will look back and see this time has been used as development for players.

"Australia are a superb side. They are very talented, and they are very effective at set-piece - I thought their scrum went particularly well against England at Twickenham.

"I think the way you put southern hemisphere sides under pressure is to be very good in the contact area, keep ball and go through the phases."

Wales were beaten 33-10 by world champions New Zealand last weekend.