Louis Rees-Zammit will make his first start for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup as head coach Steve Tandy makes four changes for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series clash with Japan at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The 24-year-old Bristol wing replaces Tom Rogers on the right flank, while back-row forward Olly Cracknell comes in at number eight after making his debut last weekend against Argentina. Cracknell replaces injured skipper Jac Morgan, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Lake to lead as Morgan ruled out
With Morgan sidelined, Dewi Lake will take over the captaincy, repeating his role from the summer tour to Japan. Tandy has also reshuffled his pack, with Aaron Wainwright moving to blind-side flanker and Alex Mann shifting to the open-side.
“We feel he’s got all the qualities to play six or seven,” said Tandy of Mann. “His defensive energy was outstanding last weekend, and he gives us balance alongside Cracknell and Wainwright.”
Front row refreshed after quick turnaround
Tandy has rotated his front row following the short turnaround from the 52-28 defeat to Argentina. Props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin start, with Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti moving to the bench.
The changes come as Wales look for their first win under Tandy and to maintain their world ranking ahead of December’s World Cup draw. Wales, currently ranked 12th, must beat Japan to stay in the second seeding pot for the 2027 tournament.
Rees-Zammit’s long-awaited start
Rees-Zammit returned to rugby earlier this year after a brief stint in American football with the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. He made his comeback from the bench last weekend, earning his 33rd cap, and now gets a chance to start again.
“He played good minutes last weekend, and we feel he’s ready to return to the starting line-up,” said Tandy. “There were a lot of positives against Argentina, but we know there’s still room to improve.”
Bench boost and selection note
Taine Plumtree and Nick Tompkins return to the matchday squad after missing the Argentina game, while Rogers drops out. The lineup also includes 12 players based outside Wales, 11 of them in England, who will not be available for next week’s match against South Africa, which falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window.
Wales team to face Japan:
Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell.
Replacements: Belcher, Carre, Assiratti, F Thomas, Plumtree, Hardy, J Evans, Tompkins.
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