Wales face Japan at Principality Stadium in the second instalment of the Nations Championship.

For the opening fixture against the Brave Blossoms, head coach Steve Tandy named a 39-player squad for this month’s action.

After their meeting with Eddie Jones’ side, Wales face New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff before concluding their 2026 campaign with a play-off match to determine their final standing in the first-ever Nations Championship.

A victory against Japan should be a minimum requirement for Tandy’s side, who began their Nations Championship campaign with a hard-fought 39-24 victory in an ‘away’ fixture at Cardiff City Stadium against Fiji.

This was followed by defeats to Argentina (35-21) and South Africa (43-0), so Wales will be aiming to return to winning ways, with Tandy having already privately announced the line-up to his squad.

Here is how Wales will likely line up for their clash against Japan.

Back-three 

This area of selection will draw a lot of attention. After an underwhelming Six Nations campaign, Bristol Bears’ Louis Rees-Zammit was moved back onto the wing during the summer.

It was a no-brainer, but frustratingly, it's not Rees-Zammit’s wrongdoing; Wales’ backline aren’t using his incredible speed and power on the outside to their advantage. He remains a massive threat with ball in hand, and should continue on the wing for Wales.

Elsewhere in the back-three it’s a coin flip between Tom Rogers and Blair Murray for who starts at full-back. Tandy’s consistency in selection edges Murray into the starting jersey, but following his move to the Ospreys, Rogers has been flourishing in his ‘preferred position’.

The remaining starting position here is up for debate. Josh Adams had an inspired performance in Cardiff’s 26-0 victory against the Ospreys following being released from the Welsh camp to play, but Ellis Mee might be better suited here.

Mee is an intriguing selection, but his confidence and also rare reliability under the high ball will be incredibly beneficial for Wales this November.

Centres

Many supporters and former Wales internationals have called for Eddie James to start at inside-centre. However, head coach Tandy has publicly stated his intent to use the powerful ball carrier at 13.

This gives Wales a second playmaker option at 12: Joe Hawkins, with Cardiff’s Ben Thomas currently sidelined with injury.

But if that’s no longer the case this November, uncapped Dragons player Aneurin Owen offers Tandy the perfect answer at inside-centre.

The 26-year-old runs a great attacking line and, alongside James, could make Wales' midfield a formidable force moving forward.

Half-Backs 

With the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Wales still haven't answered the question of who their number one choice at outside-half is.

Dan Edwards, you feel, has edged past Sam Costelow for the starting jersey, but Tandy will likely utilise both this autumn.

This comes after Costelow’s year being ruined by injury, and not being able to improve on eye-catching performances.

At nine, the decision for Tandy is far more straightforward. Tomos Williams, despite still having question marks around his performances on the international stage, remains Wales’ best choice.

It’s another coin flip to see who will be Williams' replacement, and there’s no guarantee whoever is selected will play, with Tandy opting to use the 31-year-old for as long as possible in contests.

With that being said, against Japan it’s likely that Che Hope will claim his long-awaited first senior international cap, while Reuben Morgan-Williams will heighten competition with club mate Kieran Hardy out of contention for the foreseeable.

Front-row 

With Rhys Carré’s minutes with Saracens not as high as Tandy would probably want, Sale Sharks’ Nicky Smith looks set to start against Japan this weekend.

Although Smith doesn't offer the same attacking prowess as Carré, his scrummaging alone will need to be on point against the strong forward pack the Brave Blossoms have.

Ultimately, Smith is a safer bet at this point and having Carré off the bench seems smart. But if Carré is unavailable completely, then Cardiff Rugby’s Rhys Barratt is in line for his first international cap.

With the conversation surrounding who starts at loose-head complicated, Tandy’s selection at hooker is easy. Dewi Lake will captain the side and is a guaranteed starter.

Although arguably Wales’ in-form hooker, Elliot Dee, being snubbed from being included, this means that Ryan Elias who has had decent displays recently in a Welsh jersey, should provide the sufficient back-up.

With Tandy making the smart decision to rest Tomas Francis during the summer, the 34-year-old's scrummaging abilities will be a welcome return against Japan.

Tight-head seems an area in the Welsh squad that Tandy has been afforded depth in, particularly after the summer campaign.

Second-Row 

Another player that missed the summer campaign entirely was Dafydd Jenkins, with his work-rate and physicality that he brings off the back of the Six Nations will be needed for Wales.

Dragons’ Ben Carter is favourite to partner Jenkins, although there’s question marks surrounding his fitness heading into the fixture against Japan.

The second-row showed his worth during the Six Nations, and cemented himself as one of the first names on the team-sheet.

Back-Row 

This is where the decision-making becomes really easy for Tandy. Jac Morgan is a guarantee to start at open-side. The Gloucester player should be joined by Leicester Tigers’ Aaron Wainwright, who will likely start at eight.

Although, in-form Taine Basham who has found some fine form of late, and in doing so has raised the question whether he should start.

His impact off the bench should may be taken into account, especially following his last seven appearances for Wales have been off the bench. Could Tandy hand the 27-year-old his first Wales start since 2022?

Wales’ final selection call comes at blind-side, and it’s between two heavy hitters, Taine Plumtree and Alex Mann. Wainwright also remains an option here, after starting all of his Gallagher PREM matches with Leicester there.

Mann looks like the likely selection here, but Plumtree, Basham, or Kane James could provide further cover on the bench. 6-2 split; maybe on the bench.

Predicted Wales team to play Japan: 15. Tom Rogers, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. Eddie James, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Ellis Mee, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Dewi Lake (C), 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Ben Carter, 6. Alex Mann, 7. Jac Morgan, 8. Aaron Wainwright.

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