ability to limit selection to front faces when in x-ray wireframe view.

In edit mode, I need to see through the model so that I can align my selection to an object inside the object I'm editing, but I only want to select the faces on the side of the model I'm looking at, without selecting the faces on the other side of the model.

I can't find a way to do this. I've tried using viewport clipping to hide the back of the model, but it still selects it even though it's not visible. Hide backfaces also doesn't work. The only way at the moment seems to actually hide parts of the mesh with shift H whilst in edit mode, which is a bit laborious.

Solutions:

a) when a selection tool is active (such as pressing C ) you can hold down a key to limit to front faces. b) hide back faces works in xray mode c) parts of a mesh hidden by viewport clipping aren't selectable.