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    Home » Louis Rees Zammit returns as Wales reveal team to play Japan
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    Louis Rees Zammit returns as Wales reveal team to play Japan

    The match will be shown live on TNT Sports, discovery+ and S4C.
    Rhys GregoryBy Rhys GregoryNovember 14, 2025No Comments
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    Credit: Welsh Rugby Union
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    Head coach Steve Tandy has confirmed the Wales line up to take on Japan on Saturday 15 November in their second Quilter Nations Series fixture at Principality Stadium, kicking off at 5.40pm GMT.

    Dewi Lake starts at hooker and takes on the captaincy again after leading Wales during the summer series in Japan.

    He is joined in the front row by Nicky Smith at loosehead and Archie Griffin at tighthead, the same starting trio that featured in the second Test in Kobe.

    Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard keep their spots in the second row.

    In the back row Aaron Wainwright lines up at blindside, Alex Mann moves to openside and Olly Cracknell is named at No 8 after making his Wales debut last weekend.

    There is one change in the back line with Louis Rees Zammit returning to the starting XV on the wing following his appearance last Sunday, his first since the Rugby World Cup.

    On the bench Wales will turn to Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas and Taine Plumtree for forward cover, while Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans and Nick Tompkins provide the options in the backs.

    Tandy said: “The props started the game really well and played 45 minutes. We were always planning to rotate those round after the six-day turnaround. Then there’s a reshuffle in the back row: Alex Mann goes to seven.

    “We feel he’s got all the qualities to play six or seven. Some of his attacking ability you’ve seen on the weekend and his defensive energy was outstanding. Then bringing Olly Cracknell in at No. 8 and moving Aaron Wainwright to six gives us a really good balance in the back row.

    “Louis Rees-Zammit comes in on the wing. He played a good few minutes last weekend and we feel he’s ready to return to the starting line-up.

    “I think we’ve definitely seen lots of how we want to play against Argentina. There was lots to be pleased about – our attack I thought was excellent and I saw a lot of physicality – but there’s lots to improve. So that’s what we’ve been focusing on. We’re looking to build on the first performance into this weekend.

    On Dewi being appointed captain, Tandy added: “When you see him in and around camp, he’s brilliant. He’s helping individuals. He drives the team. He sets standards of how we want to train and also off the field. He’s an outstanding leader and I think he’ll do an amazing job.”

    Wales team v Japan – Quilter Nations Series

    15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 11 caps)
    14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 33 caps)
    13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 9 caps)
    12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 15 caps)
    11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 64 caps)
    10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 4 caps)
    9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 65 caps)
    1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 57 caps)
    2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 23 caps) captain
    3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 9 caps)
    4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 24 caps)
    5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 59 caps)
    6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 60 caps)
    7. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
    8. Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – 1 cap)

    Replacements

    16. Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
    17. Rhys Carré (Saracens – 21 caps)
    18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
    19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 5 caps)
    20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 8 caps)
    21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 26 caps)
    22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 12 caps)
    23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 41 caps)

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    Rhys Gregory
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    Editor of Wales247.co.uk

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