Faletau to hit the ground running

Toby Faletau is hoping Wales can carry their World Cup form into Saturday's clash against Australia and build valuable momentum ahead of the Six Nations.

Wales lost to the Wallabies in the third-place play-off match in New Zealand but Newport Gwent Dragons No.8, Faletau is hoping Wales can reproduce the form that took them to the semifinals of the tournament when they run out at the Millennium Stadium in front of their home supporters this weekend.

"It's really important to carry on from the World Cup," he said.

"We need to carry on the momentum and hopefully build on it and a win this weekend could be a real confidence booster.

"It's a big occasion on Saturday, it's Shane's [Williams] last game and hopefully we can give him a good sending off, but it's still a Test match and we can't get carried away," he added.

Wales have had to deal with some injury concerns this week, but Faletau is confident that the replacements will be able to ste up on the big stage.

"The boys that have come into the team are ready and we are confident. We are all focused on getting the win and it would be nice to get one over them.

"They are a good side, have a nice balance and their backline is really exciting and creative," he said.

Warren Gatland named his team for the game on Tuesday and it sees the return of Faletau to No.8 where he will link up again in the loose trio with Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton.

"It's good to have the combination back together," he added.

"When someone is doing well from the back row it is normally because one of the other two has done something well to get them into that position.

"We compliment each other and work really well together," he said.