Wales head coach Steve Tandy has selected Max Llewellyn and Eddie James as the centre partnership for the Nations Championship opener against Japan on Saturday. Llewellyn, 6ft 6in and 16st 12lbs, and James, 6ft 4in and 16st 3lbs, form one of Wales' biggest midfield combinations. Tandy has abandoned his policy of selecting a recognised ball-player at inside centre, naming Llewellyn in the number 12 jersey.
Fly-half Sam Costelow is preferred to Dan Edwards, while Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit flank full-back Blair Murray on the wings. The back row features 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.
Nine of the 15 starters, including six of the eight forwards, and 12 of the 23-strong squad play club rugby in England. Three Scarlets players and two from Cardiff are in the squad, while Dafydd Jenkins returns from a knee injury to partner Ben Carter in the second row. Half-backs Dan Edwards and Reuben Morgan-Williams are named as replacements.
Tandy stated there is strong competition for places, excited to watch the new centre pairing produce after limited training together. This will be Tandy's sixth different centre partnership in 13 games in charge. Ben Thomas is absent due to a calf injury, and Joe Hawkins has been left out of the 23-man squad for the autumn games.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing