By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Wales have named a record nine players based outside the country in their starting line-up to face Japan in Cardiff on Saturday, marking a historic shift in selection policy.
Record overseas selection
The nine England-based starters include Gloucester trio Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Max Llewellyn, plus Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol), Tomos Williams (Saracens), Nicky Smith (Sale), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter) and Aaron Wainwright (Leicester). Three more Gallagher Premiership players are on the bench, a dramatic increase from the six England-based players in Wales' 2023 World Cup squad.
Tandy defends policy
Head coach Steve Tandy insisted the best players will be selected regardless of club location. He acknowledged the desire for more Welsh-based players but emphasized the benefits of players gaining experience in strong leagues, noting many are performing well in those environments.
Powerful centre pairing
The team also features a centre partnership of Llewellyn and Eddie James, one of the largest combinations Wales have fielded. Llewellyn stands 6ft 6in and weighs 16st 12lbs, while James is 6ft 4in and 16st 3lbs. The pair have never started a Test together.
Autumn schedule
Wales begin the autumn leg of their Nations Championship campaign against Japan, the side they beat in summer 2025 to end a 20-month losing streak. Tandy has made seven changes from the 43-0 defeat to South Africa in July. New Zealand and Australia visit Cardiff later this month before the finals at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
