Warren Gatland gets back into a tracksuit this week for the first time since Wales completed the Grand Slam in March as he prepares to take on the top two nations in world rugby.
Having spent the past two weeks closely examining the credentials of the players in Ireland, Scotland and England, the British & Irish Lions head coach will be closer to home for the remainder of the November Test window.
"It has been great watching Ireland, Scotland and England in action over the past few weekends, but now it is time for me to get back into action as a coach,” said Gatland.
“I'll be with Wales for the next two weekends preparing them to face the All Blacks and Wallabies – the first time I've coached since Wales' final game of the Grand Slam campaign.
"The Wallabies did well to get a result at Twickenham last weekend and the game against them at the Millennium Stadium on 1 December is going to be another interesting battle.
“What last weekend underlined is that you right off the Wallabies at your peril. The British & Irish Lions players and coaches won't be taking anything for granted as we build up to next year's 125th anniversary tour.
“All that the Aussie win over England did was to underline just how difficult a task the Lions will face in seven months time."
So far, Gatland has witnessed three defeats by the Home Nations to southern hemisphere opposition – Ireland 12, South Africa 16; Scotland 22, New Zealand 51; England 14, Australia 20 – and will be hoping to create a win for Wales after their home defeats to Argentina and Samoa,
The Welsh fixture against Australia will also give Gatland the chance to go head-to-head with Wallaby coach Robbie Deans one last time before they clash next summer on the Lions tour.
