In Test rugby you take good care not to motivate the opposition. Yet Dave Clark, Canada's coach, may have done just that with some glaringly ill-chosen remarks in the build-up to today's international against Wales in Cardiff.

Clark's statement that "Wales simply don't hold the fear of days gone by" will be music to the ears of his Wales counterpart Steven Hansen. It is true Wales do not rank among the world-class teams but it is surely unwise to provoke a side with such youth, pride, skill and scoring potential.

Last week's seven-try blitz in a record 58-14 victory over Fiji ought to have warned the Canadians that Hansen wants wins under his belt before next Saturday's Test against New Zealand. The Wales coach is seeking "to keep up the momentum now that we have it", which means he intends to keep the Canadian forwards on the run for 80 minutes.

Hansen's three changes - which promote the lock Vernon Cooper, hooker Robin McBryde and centre Jamie Robinson - have increased Llanelli's contingent in the starting line-up to seven, which can only aid cohesion.

Wales have taken "internal disciplinary action" against Dafydd James, who has been replaced on the bench by Nick Walne. James was disciplined for staying at home on Thursday night when he was expected at the team hotel.

Wales: R Williams (Cardiff); M Jones (Llanelli), Robinson (Cardiff), Parker (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend); S Jones, Peel (both Llanelli); I Thomas, McBryde (both Llanelli), Evans (Swansea), Cooper (Llanelli), Llewellyn (Neath), D Jones (Llanelli), M Williams (Cardiff), Charvis (Swansea, capt).

Canada: Stanley; Fauth, Witkowski, Cannon, Asselin; Barker, Williams; Snow, Dunkley (capt), Thiel, James, Tait, Banks, Van Staveren, Murphy.