Warren Gatland’s side face a giant Georgian team in their first tournament meeting in Japan and know they are in for a stiff test against the Lelos.
“We have been preparing for this for a very long time – it’s been two years in the making – and we are fully focused on Monday night against a formidable opponent,” said Edwards.
“It is going to be physical, but we are here to compete. They’re big men and are going to be physical, but so are we. We’re not coming here to make up the numbers.
“Rugby is very emotive and you have to encourage that emotion, but we have to control that and use it in the right way. We aim to do that on Monday night.
“Yes we want to be aggressive and have good line speed, but we also want to be disciplined and onside. The boss has been massive on keeping half a foot behind the offside line.”
In total the Welsh XV has 753 caps worth of international experience and Gatland’s side for Georgia is the oldest Welsh outfit to have played at a World Cup with an average age of 28 years and 331 days.
Edwards is confident Gatland’s team can thrive in what is expected to be wet weather at the City of Toyota Stadium.
“We’re obviously taking it one game at a time. I just know we’re ready to play on Monday,” Edwards says. “Obviously if a storm comes there is nothing we can do about that, but I think we have to look at the game against Ireland at the end of the Six Nations when they wanted the roof open.
“We are confident about the way we can play in the wet. We are a good wet weather team. If it is wet and slippery, which it could be, then we have to adapt out tactics and tighten things up.
“It’s obviously harder to play expansive, three-pass rugby in those kind of conditions, but you have to adapt. That’s what is fantastic about the game of rugby, there are different styles of tactics.”
Navidi of Cardiff Blues packs down at No 8 against Georgia in a back-row which also features exciting 21-year-old flanker prospect Aaron Wainwright and Justin Tipuric.
Scarlets prop Jones starts at loosehead to try and help negate Georgia’s significant scrum threat.
“It’s quite special. I played in the Under-20s World Cup here, got my first cap here, and now I’m back for a World Cup,” Navidi said. “I was kind of expecting everything from the Japanese people and their warm welcome. It’s nice to be back here and to have that warm welcome from them.
“I cover six, seven, eight and it’s just about knowing your role. So every time we do have changes, I just keep an eye out and it’s good I can play across the board. I have played eight on the international stage. I’m just looking forward to playing now.”
Jones added: “We know Georgia have a strong scrum so that’s something we’ve focused on this week. We’ve got to get our process right and take it to them.
“They’re big, physical men and they pride themselves on the scrum. From one to eight, they’re a big scrummaging pack. It will be a challenge for us but I’m chuffed to start.”
