HE MAY BE the only player in the current squad to have tasted success over Australia in a Welsh jersey, but captain Alun Wyn Jones feels his side has the momentum to beat the Wallabies at the Principality Stadium today (kick-off 5.20pm), writes Ryan Robinson.

It’s been a decade since Wales last triumphed over their southern hemisphere counterparts, a 21-18 victory in Cardiff in November 2008, and they have lost the last 13 meetings between the sides.

Frequently, Wales have opened their autumn Test series against the Wallabies, but they head into the game on the back of a victory against Scotland last weekend – something Jones feels will benefit the squad.

“It’s funny because a lot of these guys have had a lot of success at club level,” he said.

“It’s a cliché but age is just a number and some of these guys are performing week in and week out.

“It’s a step up to international level but there are a lot of guys with a lot of confidence – and you can’t drain confidence.

“In our first outing there were decent patches in our performance following an arduous two weeks training.

“I think we’ve sort of got the momentum already and, obviously, there’s a lot of new blood who had an opportunity in the summer to get in this squad, so it’s exciting.”

Despite the well-documented losing streak against the Wallabies, Wales don’t often lose by big margins and in 10 of the 13 losses the Aussies have won by nine points or fewer.

The bench could stand to make a significant difference at Principality Stadium and Jones feels if the squad can stay in the contest, they have a big opportunity to end the long losing streak.

“I haven’t beaten Australia enough in the red of Wales, obviously had a bit of success with the Lions,” he added.

“We know they can attack from anywhere, the calibre of players they have, the individual that can spark a bit of brilliance, married up with a decent pack.

“It’s probably the momentum (that’s given Australia victories in the past).

“If they get an early score, you tend to chase the game, particularly when a team plays as much as they do with the counter-attacking ability.

“We just don’t want to get in that hole early on because in international rugby you can’t get it back. Start well, be switched on and stay in the game.

“Gats (Warren Gatland) has made a point to a few of the boys that there is a good calibre of players ready to come off the bench.

“I know we can say how narrow it has been in the past, but the closer you get the further you feel away, particularly where it was 11 points difference over three Tests (in the summer of 2012).

“We’ve got no excuse with the people we’ve got coming off the bench, the guys who did that in the summer definitely added something to our game and I’m sure that will happen again.”

Having started against Scotland, Dragons skipper Cory Hill must settle for a place among the replacements, with Jones partnered in the second-row by fellow Osprey Adam Beard.

“Strength in depth is a beautiful thing, every team searches for it, and it’s always what you’re looking for,” added Jones.

“Adam is fulfilling his potential now, it’s another step up starting at home, but I wish him well and I’ll be there to support him throughout the game. But he’s doing well off his own back anyway.”