Wales pick power midfield pairing for Japan opener

Summarised from 2 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 11:20 · Archive

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has selected Max Llewellyn and Eddie James as his centre partnership to face Japan in the Nations Championship on Saturday.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named his starting XV to face Japan on Saturday, with Max Llewellyn partnering Eddie James in the centres. At 6ft 6in (1.96m) and 16st 12lbs (107kg), Llewellyn is paired with James at 6ft 4in (1.90m) and 16st 3lbs (103kg), forming one of Wales' biggest midfield combinations. Tandy has abandoned his previous policy of selecting a more recognised ball-player at inside centre.

The team includes a record nine English-based players in the starting XV, outnumbering Welsh-based players. Sam Costelow starts at fly-half, with Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit on the wings and Blair Murray at full-back. The forward pack includes captain Dewi Lake, props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin, locks Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter, and back row of Alex Mann, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright.

Tandy has made seven personnel changes from the side that lost 43-0 to South Africa in July. He described the record number of English-based players as positive: "I think it shows that other leagues want our players and that they're performing well when they go elsewhere. That's exciting for us." He acknowledged logistical challenges when players return to their clubs to play the weekend before an international, but said the team makes efforts to stay connected with players outside camp.

How it is being reported

• Gwyn Jones: Wales have made necessary change but one man should have been pickedS4C commentator and former Wales captain Gwyn Jones previews Wales v Japan in the Nations ChampionshipWalesOnline · 6 Nov, 10:40
• Japan call in Welshman to plot Wales' downfall as Eddie Jones predicts gameplanEddie Jones was in typically good form ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Wales in CardiffWalesOnline · 5 Nov, 15:45
• Jones looks to create Japan history in CardiffHead coach Eddie Jones says he wants his side to create history on Saturday by becoming the first Japan side to beat Wales in Cardiff.BBC Wales · 5 Nov, 15:23
• Wales team announcement sets record as Steve Tandy makes honest admissionWales have a record number of English-based players in their starting XV to play JapanWalesOnline · 5 Nov, 11:45
• Wales have finally made the change people wanted - this team should win wellSteve Tandy has opted for size and power in midfield and Wales must now show they can be a serious teamWalesOnline · 5 Nov, 09:42
• Wales name team for Japan as coaches make big change to planSteve Tandy has named his team to face Japan in Cardiff this SaturdayWalesOnline · 5 Nov, 09:07
• Wales opt for centre power pair against JapanWales head coach Steve Tandy has selected Max Llewellyn alongside Eddie James in midfield to face Japan in the Nations Championship on Saturday.BBC Wales · 5 Nov, 09:02
• Wales team announcement live updates as big calls made for JapanSteve Tandy is set to make major changes to his Wales team to face Japan, with big calls expected at fly-half, in midfield and across the packWalesOnline · 5 Nov, 07:24

In this story: Wales · Japan · Steve Tandy · Max Llewellyn · Eddie James · Sam Costelow · Dewi Lake · Principality Stadium

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