Wales team to play Japan: Louis Rees-Zammit starts

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at 09:18

byHarry Tovey

Argentina put seven past Wales on Sunday afternoon. Steve Tandy’s side conceded 52 points in a defeat that came as no real surprise. The Principality Stadium, usually a place known for its raucous crowds of over 70,000, was just silent as Welsh Rugby continues on its knees.

Tandy’s side hasn’t got time to dwell on the brutal defeat as Eddie Jones’ Japan team eyes redemption in Cardiff on Saturday. It’s Wales’s only real chance of a triumph this Quilter Autumn Nations Series as New Zealand and South Africa await in the following weeks.

Below, Ruck Rugby take a look at the likely starting XV that Tandy will likely pick.

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets, 11 caps)

The 24-year-old, who has been one of Wales’ standouts in 2025, has also seen him pick up the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Young Player of the Year award. However, his performance against Los Pumas didn’t reach the heights of previous outings for Wales.

He’ll need to be stronger in the air, but despite this, he did cross the whitewash in the second half, and remains a massive player for Tandy’s side, which warrants him remaining in the starting XV. And that’s also because no one is more experienced in the squad than him, who can play fullback.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears, 33 caps)

After coming off the bench on Sunday afternoon, he made his first appearance for Wales in two years, following a hiatus in the NFL. He came on and started strongly, replacing a poor Tom Rogers, and there were signs that he remains a real threat with the ball in hand.

Tandy will be starting the 24-year-old if he wants any chance of ending the losing run in the Welsh capital on Saturday.

13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens, 41 caps)

Following an underwhelming return to international rugby by Gloucester Rugby’s Max Llewellyn, Tompkins, who hasn’t started since Wales were put aside 22-15 in Rome, needs to be one of the many changes that Tandy needs to make.

His decision-making and particularly his footwork will add some flair to Wales’ attack, especially when quick ball in the contest against the Brave Blossoms is going to be decisive.

12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets, 6 caps)

Is there really a justification needed for why Ben Thomas has missed out on a place in the starting XV? Despite playing a lot for the Scarlets at 10 this season, and being on the bench when they toured South Africa. He’s the perfect replacement for Thomas.

He’s comfortable in both roles, so he gives Tandy options, attack-wise. But with him publicly stating he wants more involvement in matches, his best position for that on Tandy’s side is at inside centre, a second playmaker, who could catch Jones’ side off guard.

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, 64 caps)

The wingers' experience is vital for Wales’ backline, despite getting little ball, in the contest against Los Pumas, which the visitors dominated. His little contributions were crucial, and alongside Murray and Rees-Zammit, it is a mouthwatering back-three option for Tandy.

10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys, 5 caps)

After making his first start at the Principality Stadium, with his kicking game from hand and tee being on point, sees him calmly regain his starting position. He showed a lot of potential in the contest against the South American side, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.

But after steering his side back to winning ways in Japan over the summer, he will only grow in confidence with continuous starts, which is enormous for the 22-year-old.

9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby, 65 caps)

Despite receiving a surprising yellow card in the second half on Sunday, it was a welcome sight for Williams, who stood head and shoulders above everyone else in the backline. Just his rugby intelligence was highly beneficial for Tandy’s side.

He’s always a threat and has the potential of being one of the best scrum halves in the world. Him and Edwards, as the half-back pairing moving forward for Wales, could be the difference-makers in seeing Wales climb the World Rugby rankings.

1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps)

Following an underwhelming return from Rhys Carre, this should allow Smith to regain the starting position. He’s the best technical scrummager in the squad, and with him being left out of the starting XV last weekend, he will have a point to prove against Japan.

2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys, C, 23 caps)

Now that the Wales captain, Jac Morgan, is out for the foreseeable future, Lake will now look to replicate what he achieved in the summer and guide his side back to winning ways. Although he’ll need to work on his arrows at lineout time, he’ll be eager to do so.

3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)

Griffin, who isn’t a regular starter for the Gallagher Prem side, the 24-year-old seems to be the answer at tighthead after a torrid afternoon for Kieron Assiaratti. It was perhaps baffling that the Sydney-born prop didn’t get the nod to start against Los Pumas.

In his 36-minute cameo, he added strength to the scrum and worked well when Wales were in attack. Surely, he starts like he did in Kobe, when he played his part in ending the agonising 18 straight Test losses.

4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)

Definitely needs to offer more in terms of hard-hitting lines to get himself over the gainline when he has the ball. It was his first Wales outing since the Six Nations, and with his great engine, he will be huge for Tandy against a Japanese side that is ruthless and quick in attack.

5. Adam Beard (Montpellier, 59 caps)

Speaking ahead of the contest against Los Pumas after the conclusion of the Captain’s Run, Beard was ‘buzzing’ to make his first international appearance of 2025. Again, like Adams, he is one of the more experienced players, and with his sheer size, he is a big ball-carrying option, making him one of the first names on the teamsheet for Tandy this weekend.

6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby, 8 caps)

Despite looking to be the one to be replaced by debutant Olly Cracknell after Morgan’s cross, the 23-year-old played the full 80 minutes, which would’ve been beneficial to him.

His eagerness and work rate, both in attack and defence, are pleasing, and with Morgan's absence moving forward, this could be beneficial for Mann to gain more experience.

7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps)

Yes, you’re not mistaken to think almost instantly, why Reffell is starting despite not being in the squad. But it’s a possibility that Tandy will call upon his experience for Saturday’s clash and New Zealand next week.

It’s not a like-for-like replacement for Morgan, but it’s the best option for Wales in the position. However, there are strong arguments for Tandy to move all his chips to the centre of the table and bring in uncapped Harri Deaves. We’ll wait and see, but Reffell has exposure on the international stage.

8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 60 caps)

Obviously, there’s an injury concern here in this position, as the 28-year-old limped off the field against Argentina. If fit, he has to play.

The back rower, who has exceptional footballing skills, and isn’t afraid of testing the opposition with the ball in hand. Wainwright, when in form, is one of Wales’ best players.