Don't be fooled by Fiji's Scotland shambles - Wales have a far sterner test coming

Fiji were awful against Scotland on the weekend but it would be foolish to underestimate them.

The Pacific Islanders shipped 57 points, including eight tries, and apart from a small period of pressure either side of half-time they looked like a team who had hardly prepared for the task at hand. But don't be fooled - Wales will face a much stronger Fiji side in Cardiff this Sunday, on paper at least.

Fiji head coach Mick Byrne will welcome back 11 players for this weekend's visit to the Principality Stadium who were unavailable against Scotland due to the fixture falling outside of World Rugby's designated international window. And there is some serious talent coming back into the fold.

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Welsh fans will be familiar with world-class centre Semi Radradra who has caused Wales serious problems in the past. In both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup Radradra caused Wales all sorts of headaches with his sheer power and explosiveness.

If they can contain the Lyon man it will go a long way towards Wales coming out on top. Wales will also be mindful of not giving Toulon wing Jiuta Wainiqolo any space.

In Toulon's comfortable 21-10 victory over Lyon in the Top 14 on Saturday Wainiqolo took a cross-field kick just outside his own 22 before racing up-field and turning a couple of defenders inside to score. If this guy is given any room he will punish Wales severely.

Racing 92 wing Josua Tuisova is also a world-class player who has top-end pace and freakish power. Experienced Sale Sharks centre Waisale Nayacalevu and Castres' Vilimone Botitu are also quality operators.

Saracens tighthead Eroni Mawi or Bayonne's Luke Tagi should also strengthen their scrum. At Murrayfield Fiji's side mostly consisted of players who ply their trade for the Drua in Super Rugby Pacific but there's no doubting the quality they potentially have coming back into the mix this Sunday will make them more competitive in Cardiff.

But even so Wales should have too much for them. Fiji will likely lack the cohesion of their hosts, although if they can stay within touching distance going into the final quarter of the game it will be interesting to see how a Wales team who have lost their previous nine Test matches copes with the pressure.

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If the game breaks up the likes of Tuisova, Radradra and Wainiqolo have the potential to rip Wales to shreds while Warren Gatland's side will also get given a stern physical examination. But if Wales are solid at set-piece, kick well and look after the ball they will put Fiji under pressure.

Fiji's discipline was horrific against Scotland and if Wales are able to put them under pressure they will cough up penalties but they have to be clinical. Gatland's men will face a stiffer challenge than Scotland did but the result will be in their hands.

Stick to the game plan and they should begin the Autumn Nations Series with a win but get drawn into an unstructured loose game and they will be punished.