Wales team to play Japan: Costelow makes his return

One of the main talking points from the team announcement is Sherratt has recalled a number of players. Sam Costelow will make his international return for the first time since November of last year as he is joined by Kieran Hardy to complete the halfback pairing after both missed this year’s Guinness Six Nations.

Flankers Josh Macleod and Alex Mann also make their return and join Taulupe Faletau in the back row.

Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts.

Dragons RFC’s Ben Carter has been brought back into the starting XV and will join up with Teddy Williams in the second row, whilst Johnny Williams joins Ben Thomas in the centres, having last played international rugby at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Captain Dewi Lake starts at hooker, Nicky Smith is at loosehead prop and tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti completes the front row.

Josh Adams and Tom Rogers are selected on the wings, while Blair Murray completes the starting XV at fullback.

Uncapped Liam Belcher will make his international debut as a replacement and interestingly Sherratt has named both Aaron Wainwright and Tommy Reffell in a 6-2 split on the bench. With Rhodri Williams and Joe Roberts being the replacement backs.

Sherratt said: “We’ve had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection.

“One of the key messages was it’s going to be a 23-man job. So, we’ve tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench.

“I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us.

“It’s going to be humid. It’s going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key.

“We’ve seen from just being around Kitakyushu this last week, there seems to be a real affinity between some of the Japanese locals and the Welsh team. Hopefully it will be fantastic on Saturday.”

On Macleod and Belcher Sherratt added: “Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting. There’s a number of players who’ve worked their way back into the squad.

“He’s been in the regional game for 10 years. He’s changed clubs. He’s gone back to university to do an electrician’s degree and then he’s managed to work his way into the national squad. So yeah, delighted for Liam.”

Wales starting XV: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau.