Wales predicted team: ‘World-class’ forward to spearhead side aiming to ‘change the narrative’ of Welsh rugby
From left to right: Matt Sherratt, Taulupe Faletau and Dewi Lake
Wales head to Japan in search of their first win in nearly two years, but interim head coach Matt Sherratt has gone bold in order to change their fortunes.
His 33-man squad is without key men Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins and Henry Thomas, and has an average age of just 26. Within that, too, there are six uncapped players in the form of Liam Belcher, Chris Coleman, Keelan Giles, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Garyn Phillips and Macs Page.
But, with changes comes opportunity. Wales are set for a complete rebuild after a difficult two years, and if the players involved in this series impress, they could establish themselves as the cornerstones of the squad moving forward.
While Sherratt might not be the man to lead them into the future, if these new combinations can click quickly, it could send a message to whichever coach is coming in.
In the here and now, Japan are also a side in turmoil after their own rotten form in 2024, and that could be a golden chance for Wales to finally end their losing streak.
But, how will Sherratt’s side line up? Well, here is our take on a possible Wales 23-man squad to face Japan this summer.
15 Blair Murray
Potentially unlucky not to be with the British and Irish Lions this summer, but he will no doubt be a key man for Wales in the Far East this July. The Scarlets flyer has been in red-hot form of late in the United Rugby Championship (URC), notably putting in an excellent display to help his side beat Leinster, but he also emerged as a proper Test player during the Six Nations too, despite Wales’ woes. His electric pace, eye for a gap, and desire to get his hands on the ball make him a real threat in the back-field where he usually finds those pockets of space.
14 Tom Rogers
Another Scarlets starlet emerging as a quality Test player is Rogers, and this feels like a great chance for him to shine. He seems to be getting better with each Test appearance, and like Murray, really announced himself during the Six Nations with some nice attacking performances. Rogers also has that blend of power and pace that is becoming the blueprint of a modern Test winger, too, which could make him a dangerous asset against Japan.
13 Joe Roberts
With Max Llewellyn injured, Roberts could be given an extended run at outside centre this July. The Scarlets powerhouse was rather surprisingly deployed on the wing during the Six Nations, but has excelled in midfield for his club this season, and again feels a good shout to be their long-term option should he impress. You feel Wales need a strike option outside of playmaker Ben Thomas, and Roberts fits that mould well.
12 Ben Thomas
The fly-half experiment is over, for good, and we should see Thomas back in his preferred role of inside centre this summer. The Cardiff back has shown some really nice attacking flashes in recent URC outings, particularly as that second playmaker, and that role should seamlessly carry over into the Wales jersey. With the speed Japan will likely bring to the two-Test series, his sort of skillset could be just the weapon to match that.
Matt Sheratt determined to end Wales’ unwanted record on tour to Japan
11 Josh Adams
Sherratt has also opted to bring a few experienced tourists, with Adams included in that group, and that points to the winger getting the nod to start. Adams has been getting some good minutes again for Cardiff in recent weeks, but as alluded too earlier his experience will be so vital to this side in their hopes of ending the losing run. The back was at the heart of that great Wales team in the last decade, and knows exactly what it takes to get over the line.
10 Sam Costelow
With no Gareth Anscombe or Jarrod Evans in the 33-man squad, this could be a chance for Costelow to make his return to the Test side. The Scarlets ace has been in fine touch lately, spearheading their play-off push in the URC very nicely, and within that has shown real signs of maturity. During his first stint in the Wales side, Costelow showed glimpses of what he could do, but his game has really come on this season and this feels a great chance to bring him back in and run the show.
9 Rhodri Williams
Tomos Williams’ Lions call-up again hands someone else a shot, and Williams is probably the first in line at nine. Williams deputised off the bench throughout the Six Nations, but this tour could finally give him the chance to show what he can do in the starting line-up. Nine is a competitive position on this tour, with Kieran Hardy in good form and Morgan-Williams also named in the 33, but Williams feels the right call to start.
8 Taulupe Faletau
He could still very easily find himself with the Lions this summer should an injury occur, but for now Faletau is bolted on to start at number eight. The Cardiff forward has wound back the years since returning to full fitness and looks at his vintage world-class best. Around that, he will bring heaps of leadership and experience to the young squad and that could prove the difference. This is a great chance to change the narrative of the national side, and Faletau could be the man to fire them to that pivotal series win.
7 Tommy Reffell
With Jac Morgan away with the Lions, Reffell will need to have a big series. The Leicester Tigers man has established himself as one of the best breakdown operators in Europe in recent times, but with no Morgan alongside him, he will likely take on the heavy load in that department. Reffell will also likely assume more leadership duties this tour, which could bring the best out of him.
6 Aaron Wainwright
The back-row is shaping up to be a strong part of this Wales starting XV, and Wainwright will certainly add to that. The powerhouse forward will bring that sort of smash-and-bash to go alongside Faletau’s flair and Reffell’s ravenous breakdown work to give them a real balance, but he also brings his own talent to it. Wainwright was a real standout for Wales during the 2024 Test season and throughout his Test career has looked very comfortable at this level, and he should be a big part of this tour too.
5 Teddy Williams
Lock has proved a tricky area for Sherratt this summer, with Beard, Jenkins and Rowlands all out of action this summer, but this should be Williams’ time to get a start. The Cardiff lock became a mainstay in the side during the Six Nations and has been in decent form for his region since returning too. He often goes under the radar, but his sort of workhorse mentality should give Wales the upper hand in the tight exchanges against Japan
4 Freddie Thomas
Again, the absence of the lock trio of Beard, Jenkins and Rowlands should give Gloucester’s Thomas a crack in the starting team. The lock has impressed in the Premiership this season, having some lovely attacking flashes to go alongside some defensive steel, and his age profile makes him an ideal option to blood in this tour and give him a proper go at Test level after a baptism of fire in the Six Nations.
3 Keiron Assiratti
Tighthead is probably Wales’ biggest area of weakness, but Assiratti has a good chance to show he can be their long-term solution. We’ve already said a lot that this summer could see several people emerge as key men for this upcoming rebuild, but out of all the positions, this one needs it the most. Wales haven’t had a settled choice at tighthead for some time now, with Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Henry Thomas and WillGriff John all starting in recent Tests, but with Thomas and John not in the side and Griffin still getting minutes into his legs after a lengthy spell out, it’s advantage Assiratti.
2 Dewi Lake (c)
Do we need to explain why captain Lake will be in the starting side? The hooker can certainly feel hard done by to not be with the Lions, but you’d imagine he will channel that into a stellar performance in this two-Test series against Japan. Lake has been a real bright spark in a dark time for Welsh rugby, and his leadership both on and off the field should be crucial to his side’s potential success.
1 Nicky Smith
Again, do we need to explain Smith’s selection? The Leicester loosehead has been one of the best scrummagers in the Premiership this season and should have just as good an effect for Wales this summer too. He will also likely take on a new leadership role this summer too, given his experience at this level.
Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Alex Mann, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Cameron Winnett
The bench will likely be an interesting one this summer, and it could see the majority of Sherratt’s changes. Belcher seems likely to make his debut in this role, Griffin should come back onto the bench, and Alex Mann and Taine Plumtree are also options here. Sherratt’s attacking gameplan and philosophy should see a 5:3 split, with Hardy, Dan Edwards and the returning Cameron Winnett all possible options. Gareth Thomas should also retain his bench spot.
