Wales head coach Steve Tandy has some big selection calls to make

18:50, 10 Nov 2025Updated 18:52, 10 Nov 2025

Wales head coach Steve Tandy (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Wales’ autumn campaign began with a disappointing 52-28 defeat against Argentina at the Principality Stadium.

There were positives to take out of the game but there is a mountain of improvement needed if Wales are to start competing with the top teams in world rugby once again. With the Rugby World Cup draw set to be made next month it is imperative Wales come out on top against Japan this Saturday.

Tandy will need to consider making changes to the side to take on Japan or whether to just tinker around the edges.

These are key selection debates the Wales coaches will be having this week and who I would pick.

Rees-Zammit parachuted into a rejigged back-three

The Bristol Bears flyer simply has to start against Japan.

Rees-Zammit made an impact upon entering the fray against Argentina with a couple of breaks on the outside before chipping ahead.

On one occasion if the ball had bounced a couple of inches lower he would have scored on his Wales comeback.

Rees-Zammit can give Wales a cutting edge out wide and is a deadly finisher who simply must start against Japan and New Zealand.

Wales lost the aerial battle against Argentina with full-back Blair Murray’s short stature exposed. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

Murray adds a huge amount to this side from an attacking perspective but there’s an argument the Scarlets man would be better served out on the wing.

Tandy could put Rees-Zammit at full-back or move Tom Rogers into the number 15 shirt in order to utilise his aerial prowess.

The other option is Cardiff’s Jacob Beetham who is also strong in the air at regional level but Tandy could lean towards experience.

Who replaces captain Jac?

The loss of Jac Morgan cannot be overstated because the Wales skipper was nothing short of outstanding in the defeat against Argentina on Sunday.

But after dislocating his shoulder in the act of scoring Tandy now has the unenviable task of trying to replace his most influential player.

Morgan’s absence could change the whole balance of the squad.

Tandy will call up a replacement this week with either Tommy Reffell or uncapped Ospreys openside Harri Deaves contenders to receive a call.

The likeliest backrow selection is moving Alex Mann into the number seven jersey and handing Olly Cracknell a first start for Wales with Aaron Wainwright retaining his place at No 8.

But Wainwright also took a knock against Argentina so if the Dragons man is ruled out then Taine Plumtree or Morgan Morse could also be in line for a start.

Mann had a decent game against Argentina so it would be wise to move the Cardiff man to openside flanker while starting Cracknell at blindside.

Front-row changes could be considered?

Keiron Assiratti played well against Japan on the weekend but there isn’t much between the Cardiff tighthead and Archie Griffin.

Tandy might also be weighing up whether to start Nicky Smith against Japan.

Smith is the best scrummaging loosehead in the squad and Tandy may want to hammer home any advantage at the set-piece against Japan.

But Rhys Carré is a powerful carrier so Tandy has to choose between the carrying prowess of the Saracens man and the technical efficiency of Smith in the scrum.

The reality is it will be horses for courses when it comes to loosehead with the experienced Gareth Thomas also an option.

But it might be wiser to start Smith with Carré used as an impact player off the bench.

Midfield changes or continuity?

One area of Wales’ game which did impress against Argentina was the attack with Tandy’s side looking very fluid with ball in hand.

Wales had a very good attacking shape and that is something positive to build on going into the final three games of this autumn series.

But there is also an argument to mix things up.

Ben Thomas is a talented footballer and is very highly rated by attack coach Matt Sherratt.

The Cardiff playmaker did not enjoy his best game against the Pumas but he does offer a second playmaking option.

But the form Welsh centre coming into the autumn was Nick Tompkins who has been outstanding for Saracens.

Historically, Wales would have made more than a handful of changes against a side like Japan but those were better times for the men in red.

Wales are currently ranked 12th in the world and Tandy cannot afford to slip up against Eddie Jones’ side with the Rugby World Cup draw looming next month.

Former Wales U20s and Bath centre Louie Hennessey is also in the squad and is one of the finest prospects in the Welsh game.

If he is not involved against Japan he may not play this autumn considering he will be unavailable for the out of window clash against South Africa.

Continuity is the likely outcome for Japan but Hennessey could add a different dimension to the Wales midfield with his game breaking and offloading ability.

Steffan Thomas’ Wales squad to take on Japan: Tom Rogers, Josh Adams, Louie Hennessey, Ben Thomas, Louis Rees-Zammit; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (captain), Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Alex Mann, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Morgan Morse, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Blair Murray.

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