Wales will send "incognito" scouts to the World Cup final in Paris as they prepare to begin the post-Gareth Jenkins era with a November clash against South Africa.

Caretaker head coach Nigel Davies admits to mixed feelings ahead of Saturday's showdown in Paris - but he would like to see England beat the Springboks and prove to his men that it can be done.

Wales crashed out of the World Cup in the pool stages following a 38-34 defeat to Fiji, prompting the immediate departure of Jenkins.

Davies will take charge for the inaugural Prince William Cup game against South Africa on November 24 before the Welsh Rugby Union install a new head coach.

"We have mixed feelings as it would be nice to be saying that we are playing the world champions next month and getting a real opportunity to test ourselves against the best team on the planet at that given time," said Davies.

"But we would also be the first to congratulate England if they retain the World Cup and we would be thanking them for showing us that South Africa are beatable.

"We are sending a couple of our backroom staff over there to check the game out.

"It's a cup final, so it may be that we don't learn too much, but we thought it important to have a presence.

"It's not an official visit and the boys will be incognito and just blending in as part of the crowd - though I don't think they have yet decided whether they are going to wear green or white!"

Wales had already begun their preparations for a quarter-final against South Africa when they were stunned by the Fijians in Nantes.

"As a backroom staff we did our homework on South Africa before we were knocked out," said Davies.

"Much of the legwork has been done and it is a game we should have played at the World Cup - but at least we get a chance to play it now.

"Even if they aren't the world champions we will be playing the quarter-final that never was."

The WRU are conducting a worldwide search for their new head coach. Chief executive Roger Lewis and chairman David Pickering flew to New Zealand last week to seek out potential candidates.

Among the big-name Kiwis linked with post are Warren Gatland, Robbie Deans and Steve Hansen, a former Wales coach.

Current Springboks boss Jake White could also come into the mix.

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