Davies is preparing for Wales' clash with the Springboks in the Prince William Cup match at the Millennium Stadium on November 24 and welcomes the possibility that he will be tested against the reigning world champions.

And if England pull off the historic feat of retaining the William Webb Ellis trophy, Davies will be straight on the phone to congratulate Brian Ashton and thank him for proving what can be done.

"We have mixed feelings as it would be nice to be saying that we are playing the world champions next month and getting a real opportunity to test ourselves against the best team on the planet at that given time," said Davies.

"But we would also be the first to congratulate England if they retain the World Cup and we would be thanking them for showing us that South Africa are beatable.

"In either scenario we won't have any trouble getting the players up for the game. Even if they aren't the world champions we will be playing the quarter-final that never was.

"As a back room staff we did our homework on South Africa before we were knocked out by Fiji. Much of the legwork has been done and it is a game we should have played at the World Cup - but at least we get a chance to play it now.

"We'll be in front of our home fans and it's an excellent opportunity to show some real pride and unity so we'll be itching to beat them."

While the eyes of the world will be on television screens watching the final in Paris on Saturday, Davies is leaving nothing to chance and Wales are sending two spies from their camp to the French capital to make sure they don't miss a trick in their preparation.

"We are sending a couple of our backroom staff over there to check the game out," added Davies. "It's a cup final, so it may be that we don't learn too much, but we thought it important to have a presence.

"It's not an official visit and the boys will be incognito and just blending in as part of the crowd - though I don't think they have yet decided whether they are going to wear green or white!"