Carter in to start Japan Test

03/07/2025

Senior men’s head coach Matt Sherratt has named the Wales team to play Japan in the first Test at a sold-out Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu on Saturday 5 July (kick-off 6am BST, live on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer) - with Dragons RFC ace Ben Carter handed a starting spot.

Josh Macleod starts at openside flanker to make his first appearance for Wales since the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

Alex Mann is selected at blindside flanker and Taulupe Faletau completes the back row at No. 8. Sam Costelow and Ben Carter return to the starting line-up at fly-half and lock respectively, having both missed the 2025 Guinness Six Nations due to injury.

Teddy Williams joins Carter in the second row. Kieran Hardy is named at scrum-half for his first Wales appearance this season.

Johnny Williams is selected at outside centre, having last featured for Wales at Rugby World Cup 2023. Ben Thomas partners Williams in the midfield.

Captain Dewi Lake starts at hooker, Nicky Smith is at loosehead prop and tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti completes the front row.

Josh Adams and Tom Rogers are selected on the wings, while Blair Murray completes the starting XV at fullback. There is a six-two split among the Wales replacements.

Hooker Liam Belcher is in line to make his Wales debut off the bench. Archie Griffin, who missed the Guinness Six Nations due to injury, provides cover at tighthead prop and Gareth Thomas is the cover at loosehead prop.

James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright and Tommy Reffell provide the remaining forward cover. Rhodri Williams and Joe Roberts are the replacement backs.

Sherratt said: “We've had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection. “One of the key messages was it's going to be a 23-man job. So, we've tried to spread the experience out in terms of getting some experience coming off the bench.

“I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us.

“It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key. “We've seen from just being around Kitakyushu this last week, there seems to be a real affinity between some of the Japanese locals and the Welsh team. Hopefully it will be fantastic on Saturday.”

On Josh Macleod and Liam Belcher Sherratt added: “Something we made a big point of in the first team meeting. There's a number of players who've worked their way back into the squad.

“Josh Macleod is an obvious one. He’s struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive.

“I think you could tell from the players’ reaction when Liam Belcher was selected how much he deserves it.

"He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's changed clubs. He's gone back to university to do an electrician’s degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad. So yeah, delighted for Liam.”

Wales team v Japan – 1st Test | Tîm Cymru v Japan

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 8 caps)

14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 9 caps)

13. Johnny Williams (Scarlets – 7 caps)

12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 12 caps)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 61 caps)

10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 18 caps)

9. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys | Gweilch – 23 caps)

1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers | Caerlŷr – 54 caps)

2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys | Gweilch – 20 caps) – captain | capten

3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 14 caps)

4. Ben Carter (Dragons | Dreigiau – 12 caps)