Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde has put his pack on alert for a punishing scrum battle against Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

The Wallabies' scrummaging unit has improved to such an extent that McBryde expects a tougher set-piece test than Wales' previous autumn opponents New Zealand, Samoa or Argentina mustered.

"It will be the toughest scrum that we have come up against during this series. It's a step up," he said.

"They (Australia) were hugely effective against Ireland, and again against Scotland. It will be a hugely-contested area.

"Collectively, they have got a good understanding of what they are trying to get out of the scrum in different areas of the field.

"It is an area where questions have been asked of us during the autumn series. Up to now, I think we have been able to answer those critics."

And Wallabies prop Benn Robinson, one of the major reasons for Australia's scrummaging excellence these days, is relishing the contest.

"Scrummaging-wise, we are always keen to get on the front foot," he said.

"And we are not going out there to have a quiet night (against Wales) - we are going out to be as good as we can be."

Considerable attention will focus on the Wales front-row - not least because it now contains their captain.

And Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins has been backed to lead from the front when he replaces an injured Ryan Jones as leader.

Jones has succumbed to a back problem suffered during a weights session earlier this week, so it means Andy Powell moving across the back-row from blindside to Jones' position of number eight, with 21-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate handed his second cap.

"We are developing a team of leaders," said Wales backs coach Rob Howley.

"We are lucky there are a number of captains within the side.

"Gethin is certainly a player who, over the last six months, has had some great experiences.

"He doesn't say too much, but what he does say, people stand up and listen to. He's captained Wales before, and he has captained the Blues.

"I think he will be a great leader - he certainly leads by his actions."

Wales versus Australia games have a tradition for being high-scoring encounters with plenty of tries, and many pundits believe today's clash could prove the most entertaining of all the autumn fixtures this year.

Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom said: "If you look at both sides, they play their best when they are attacking.

"So you would think it would probably result in a pretty open match, but you never know."