Rees-Zammit and Cracknell start for Wales v Japan

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Japan

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Wing Louis Rees-Zammit will make his first Wales start since the 2023 World Cup after being promoted from the bench for Saturday’s Test against Japan along with back-row forward Olly Cracknell.

Head coach Steve Tandy makes four personnel changes to the XV that started the autumn series with a 52-28 loss to Argentina at Principality Stadium.

Bristol wing Rees-Zammit gets the nod ahead of Tom Rogers on the right wing while number eight Cracknell, who made his Test debut on Sunday, comes in for injured captain Jac Morgan.

The loss of British and Irish Lions forward Morgan means that Ospreys team-mate Dewi Lake captains the side, as he did on the summer tour to Japan.

The open-side’s series-ending shoulder injury – suffered in the act of scoring the third of four tries against the Pumas – forces a back-row rejig.

Mobile blind-side Alex Mann is fielded in the unfamiliar seven jersey and Aaron Wainwright, who is fit after hobbling off against Argentina, shifts to blind-side flanker.

“We feel he’s got all the qualities to play six or seven,” said Tandy about Mann. “Some of his attacking ability you’ve seen on the weekend and his defensive energy was outstanding.

“Then bringing Olly Cracknell in at number eight and moving Aaron Wainwright to six gives us a really good balance in the back row.”

Scarlets forward Taine Plumtree and Saracens centre Nick Tompkins are included on the bench after missing out against the Pumas, with Rogers dropping out of the 23.

Rees-Zammit made his international return as a replacement in the second half against Argentina to win his 33rd cap.

The 24-year-old came back to rugby with Bristol this summer after two years attempting to make it in American football.

The wing will make his first start since the 2023 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina and attempt to add to his tally of 14 international tries.

“He played a good few minutes last weekend and we feel he’s ready to return to the starting line-up,” said Tandy.

“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.”

Saturday’s Test in Cardiff is crucial prior to December’s World Cup draw with 12th-placed Wales needing to win to stay above Japan in the rankings, and remain in the second pot of seeds for the 2027 tournaments.

Tandy is hunting a first win since taking the reins this summer after Wales ended an 18-Test losing streak with victory in Japan under interim boss, and now attack coach, Matt Sherratt.

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell.