The RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions have never beaten the Wallabies in Australia and Howley was quick to check rising expectations in the wake of Scotland’s 9-6 victory on Tuesday.

Howley makes five changes from the side that sealed the clean sweep against France as captain Sam Warburton returns to action along with locks Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris.

With powerhouse centre Jamie Roberts injured, Scarlets’ Scott Williams comes in while clubmake Ken Owens replaces Matthew Rees at hooker.

The Wallabies will be missing several frontline players through injury but Howley believes their loss to Scotland did his team’s chances no favours at all.

"Australia will be disappointed after their defeat to Scotland, but that will make them all the more dangerous for us," said Howley.

"The Wallabies are still the second-highest placed side in the world rankings and we are playing them in their own back yard.

"We all appreciate the enormity of the task ahead of us, the long-term stats don't make happy reading for the Welsh against the Wallabies.

"As recently as this season we have two losses racked up against Australian opposition and we are determined to stop that trend."

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), George North (Scarlets); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons).

Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Ashley Beck (Ospreys).