Tandy Rings Seven Changes as Wales Unleash Giant Centre Pairing Against Japan

Steve Tandy has overhauled his Wales side for Saturday's Nations Championship meeting with Japan at Principality Stadium, making seven changes from the team thrashed 43-0 by South Africa. The headline call comes in midfield, where Max Llewellyn starts at inside centre alongside Eddie James at outside centre — a combination listed at around 33 stone that ranks among the biggest centre pairings Wales have ever fielded. The changes also bring back two key forwards. Archie Griffin starts at tighthead prop and Dafydd Jenkins returns in the second row, with both men making their first appearances of the Nations Championship after missing the opening three rounds through injury. Nicky Smith earns his first start of the campaign at loosehead, joining captain Dewi Lake and Griffin in the front row, while Ben Carter returns beside Jenkins in the second row. Sam Costelow is preferred at fly-half with Tomos Williams at scrum-half, and Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams start on the wings with Blair Murray at full-back. Tandy said the competition for places was exactly where he wanted it to be. "We're excited to be back at home," he said. "We want to go out there on Saturday, put our mark on the match and start the next phase in our Nations Championship campaign strongly."