FIJI have been the forgotten men of the World Cup group of death amid talk of the Twickenham triangular series between Wales, England and Australia deciding the quarter-finalists.

Yet they could well throw a spanner in the works next year, and will look to serve a timely reminder in Cardiff this afternoon.

Wales should beat the Islanders but there will still be plenty of nerves when they meet again at the Millennium Stadium on October 1.

Warren Gatland stresses that his side will profit from better preparation at the World Cup but the same applies for the Fijians, who will also be fresher than Wales given that the fixture is five days after their England encounter.

Wales hammered their visitors 66-0 in three years ago yet the 16-16 draw of 2010 and 38-34 humiliation in 2007 linger in the mind.

Today’s Test is no gimme. There is no doubting the quality in the tourists ranks and the club list of their backs highlights that: Glasgow, Ospreys, Harlequins, Crusaders, Leicester, Stade Francais, Bordeaux-Begles.

A notable stat, courtesy of Russ Petty (@rpetty80) on Twitter, is that they boast the top try scorers in last season’s Top 14 (full-back Metuisela Talebula), Aviva Premiership (outside centre Vereniki Goneva) and Super Rugby (inside centre Nedami Nadolo).

And it is the sizeable frame of Nadolo that will catch the eye when the teams line up this afternoon – he stands at 6ft 5ins and weighs in at just under 20 stone.

Even the supremely physical Jamie Roberts calls him “a massive player” and recognises he must put up a midfield brick wall.

“I have to take that as a personal challenge this week and make sure he doesn't get any go forward for Fiji, because if he does they've got some very dangerous players,” said Roberts.

“He can offload the ball as well, so that’s my responsibility to the team.

“It’s a bit of a ‘man test’ – we have to front up and I’m looking forward to it.”

Roberts was one of the start performers in last weekend’s gut-wrenching 33-28 loss to Australia.

Gatland has made eight changes to that side with Justin Tipuric replacing rested captain Sam Warburton at openside flanker.

The Ospreys ace is among those attempting to force his way into the side to face the All Blacks next weekend and if he impresses and Dan Lydiate fails to catch the eye then the management will have a tough, but welcome, decision on their hands.

The former Dragons blindside was excellent in defence against the Aussies, racking up 21 tackles, but the string of failures against the southern hemisphere’s big three leaves one to ponder whether more pizzazz is needed, something Tipuric can provide.

Elsewhere it will be interesting whether Scott Baldwin can make Richard Hibbard sweat for his start at hooker while Luke Charteris should earn the right to be Alun Wyn Jones’ partner by hitting the ground running after missing the Wallabies game while on club duty.

Gatland was pretty positive despite yet another defeat to Australia, saying: "We've played them in the past, and we've been under significant pressure in terms of really being stressed along the pitch.

“When I look back on it, we missed two first-up tackles and we've thrown an intercept pass. Apart from that period when they went into the drop-goal situation, we've been under no real pressure against them.”

But Wales’ passive defence in the build-up to Bernard Foley’s defence has been a worry for the management team this week and Shaun Edwards has been hammering home the importance of flying up to put the pressure on Fiji’s power runners.

Fijians are traditionally swift of mind but if Wales are to enjoy a comfortable afternoon then it’s the battle of the bulk that they must win.

Wales: L Williams, A Cuthbert, S Williams, J Roberts, G North, R Priestland, M Phillips, G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee, B Davies, L Charteris, D Lydiate, J Tipuric, T Faletau. Replacements: E Phillips, N Smith, R Jones, A W Jones, J King, R Williams, J Hook, C Allen.

Fiji: M Talebula, W Nayacalevu, V Goneva, N Nadolo, A Tikoirotuma, J Matavesi, N Matawalu, C Ma'afu, S Koto, M Saulo, L Nakawara, A Ratuniyarawa, D Waqaniburotu, A Qera (captain), M Matadigo. Replacements: T Talemaitoga, J Yanuyanutawa, I Colati, T Cavubati, M Ravulo, H Seniloli, J Ralulu, T Nagusa.

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)