The Wales XV that is likely to face Japan this Summer

A few weeks back Wales interim head coach, Matt Sherratt announced his 33-man squad that will tour Japan, as Wales will look to put an end to their abysmal 17 Test matches without a victory this summer. 

With only two players named in this years British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia, this will be unlike any previous tours which coincided with the Lions Series’ as Sherratt has gone for all the experience he has got at his disposal. 

Only naming six uncapped players in Chris Coleman, Macs Page, Liam Belcher, Keelan Giles, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Garyn Phillips, perhaps shows the intent and mindset of Sherratt and his back room staff ahead of a huge summer for Welsh Rugby. 

In normal circumstances, this summers tour of Japan for Wales would be for blooding new stars of the future by giving them their first taste of international rugby but those circumstances that Welsh fans have been accustomed to are now a long distant memory.

Wales last tasted victory against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and currently below them in the World rankings following closely is Eddie Jones‘ Japan side, who will be fancying their chances in the sweltering heat that is expected in both Kitakyushu and Kobe where the pair will meet. 

Here is a matchday squad that Sherratt is likely to put together for Wales’ first Test on 5 July in Kitakyushu; 

15. Blair Murray

Despite a bleak 2025 Six Nations campaign for Wales, Murray’s performances were something to behold, and you could’ve made the argument for him being named in the British and Irish squad. The fullback’s attacking game is strong, with his footwork and speed being the main highlights.

Unlike the Six Nations, he will be pushed hard in training after Cam Winnett was also selected in the squad, but Murray with his improvements in defence, puts him above everyone else.

14. Tom Rogers

After having his Six Nations cut short after fracturing his thumb against Scotland, Rogers is again one of many players who are on an upward trajectory. This tour will be another opportunity for Rogers to improve and build even more confidence on the international stage. Something else worth noting is that one of his main attributes is his remarkable ability under the high ball. 

The 26-year-old will need to be at his best as Wales will surely use his size and strength to get them over the gainline, and Rogers should thrive in the expected heat in Japan. 

13. Joe Roberts

After Wales head coach, Sherratt did not include one of the standout players across the Severn, Max Llewellyn, this means that the inexperienced Roberts is in pole position for that thirteen jersey. 

Like his fellow Scarlets teammates in this starting lineup, Roberts has got great power and will be somebody that can cause Japan problems. He did spend a lot of last season on the sidelines due to a nasty knee injury, but since his return the 25-year-old has been playing well.  

12. Ben Thomas

One of the main talking points from Sherratt’s press conference after announcing his squad, was about how cohesive he wants his side to be.

So it is extremely tight between Thomas and Johnny Williams on who should start as Scarlets’ Williams is a big ball carrier and has been playing some great stuff alongside Roberts for the Parc y Scarlets side. 

Experience is something that this Wales side has been lacking since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and Thomas will be more beneficial in the starting lineup as he’ll know exactly how Sherratt wants to play the game due to being a high quality attacking player.

Another reason as well is that Thomas’ boot can also be utilised.  

11. Josh Adams

In 2021 Adams was getting ready to tour South Africa as a British and Irish Lion, but fast forward four years and a number of injuries later he is still probably the best option when it comes to picking a winger. 

His experience will be massive for this Wales side but he needs to find the form which got him on that Lions plane four years ago.

10. Sam Costelow 

With no Gareth Anscombe, Jarrod Evans and inside centre Thomas’ trial run as a international outside half thrown out the window, this leaves the door open for Costelow to drop back in despite not playing for Wales since November last year. 

It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Scarlets man, but in recent performances for the regional side he looks to be back to his best as he played a crucial role in their United Rugby Championship (URC) playoff push.

Wales need a playmaker and somebody who can quickly analyse what is in front of him, and Costelow has shown his maturity despite facing heavy criticism in the past. 

9. Kieran Hardy 

This is yet again another position that is hotly contested, with Rhodri Williams probably being the heavy favourite to wear the nine jersey. Still, Hardy is in the form of his life at the moment as he has been great value for the Ospreys who just missed out on a URC playoff spot. 

His speed of ball is rapid, which is something that Wales need when in attack. He can also spot gaps in an oppositions defence and doesn’t shy away from having a go. 

As training intensifies over the coming weeks at the Vale Resort, where Wales are based, Hardy will be looking to prove a point on this summer tour in the Far East after being left out of the Six Nations squad. 

8. Taulupe Faletau 

In normal circumstances for Welsh Rugby, Faletau probably wouldn’t be travelling with Wales when a summer tour coincides with a Lions tour. However, this is 2025, and Welsh Rugby is on its knees, but despite all that, Faletau continues to shine as the 34-year-old seems to be ageing like a fine wine. 

Sherratt will be relying on Faletau to be at his best as Wales will be looking for their first win in 17 Test matches. 

7. Tommy Reffell 

The Leicester Tigers man, Reffell is expected to start in every Test due to Jac Morgan being selected for the Lions. 

The back rower’s work rate is exceptional, especially around the breakdown area and in defence. With Morgan absent, this Tour could be hugely beneficial for him as he’ll look to push on come the Autumn into more regular starts for his national side.

6. Aaron Wainwright 

The back row positions in Wales are an area that has incredible depth, size and power.

Wainwright has got all that in abundance, and since making his first international start, he has looked incredibly comfortable on every start. 

Some may say he is a game-changer. Look no further than Wales’ performance against Italy in February, when Wainwright came on, he lit a spark in both his side’s attack and defence. 

He and his counterparts in the back row will need to be on it, especially around the breakdown area as they’ll look to disrupt the pace of the Japanese’s attack.

There is a shout for the inclusion of Taine Plumtree, but the experience of Wainwright puts him into that starting six jersey. 

5. Teddy Williams 

As both Will Rowlands and Adam Beard have been left out of Sherratt’s squad and with Dafydd Jenkins out of action, Williams has quickly become the main protagonist in the second row. 

The 24-year-old may not have been able to show it in this year’s Six Nations as all of his appearances came off the bench, but he has an opportunity this summer to impress.

He’s a great lineout forward and can seriously make an impact when Wales are in attack with his big carries.

4. Ben Carter 

After making his international debut against Canada in the summer of 2021, Carter’s international career hasn’t reached the heights of what was initially expected.

This tour for many is crucial, but also in some ways is a practice run for what will be a massive Autumn in the Welsh capital. 

Carter has a similar style to Williams and is one of the taller second-rowers in Wales. His work rate probably doesn’t get the plaudits it should, as around the breakdown area and at lineout time, he is a nuisance.

Both Freddie Thomas and James Ratti will also be working hard behind the scenes for that starting position, but Carter deserves the opportunity. 

3. Archie Griffin 

The experienced Tomos Francis has talked about maybe making a return to international rugby in the future, but since his departure to Pro D2 side Provence Rugby, no one’s made a name for themselves at tight-head.

In recent times, WillGriff John, Henry Thomas, Archie Griffin and Keiron Assiratti have all worn the three jersey, but in those appearances, no one has made a dominant impact. 

One thing that Sherratt and his backroom staff will take great pleasure in is seeing Griffin back fit as he is one of the best scrummages in this Wales touring squad.

Despite his inexperience on the Test stage, his carrying ability to get over the gainline and his work rate are worth taking note of. 

2. Dewi Lake 

Initially, Lake would’ve been disappointed not to be included in Andy Farrell’s squad that will tour Australia, but will instead be looking to impress as he tours Japan instead of Down Under. 

The tour’s captain brings a level of intensity that others around him cannot match. He’s a big ball carrier and is a great asset around the breakdown. This tour, his performances have to be no different, as players will look to take inspiration from Lake.   

1. Nicky Smith 

Smith was another one on the periphery of Farrell’s Lions squad after a dominant season with Leicester Tigers, as he was one of the best scrummagers in the Premiership. 

Given the tough period facing Welsh Rugby at the moment, Smith has still been able to make an impact and will need to carry that form from club level into Test level, as Wales will look to use the scrum as a catalyst to build off. 

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Kieron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Macs Page 

The bench is an area where some players, like Page, should have their first taste of international rugby, whilst both Williams and Edwards will be pushing for that starting jersey. 

Dee’s great arrows at lineout time and powerhouses, Thomas and Assiratti, will be significant assets from the bench and will be looking to make an impact.

Thomas and Plumtree, as well should be looking to bring their club form and their prior Test experiences to be able to help Wales get over the line in Japan.

By Harry Tovey

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