Arizona Tribune - 'Ready' Rees-Zammit back in Wales's starting team to face Japan

The dashing wing ended his 18-month exile from international rugby by coming off the bench during last week's 52-28 loss to Argentina at the Principality Stadium following a spell in American football that ended without him playing a senior NFL game.

Bristol flyer Rees-Zammit replaces Tom Rogers in one of four personnel changes to the starting 15, with back-row Olly Cracknell -- who made his Test debut off the bench against the Pumas -- replacing injured captain Jac Morgan.

Tandy said on Thursday that he felt Rees-Zammit was now well-placed to feature from the kick-off as the 24-year-old looks to add to his tally of 14 Test tries.

"He played a good few minutes last weekend and we feel he's ready to return to the starting line-up," said Tandy.

"I think we've definitely seen lots of how we want to play against Argentina. There was lots to be pleased about –- our attack I thought was excellent and I saw a lot of physicality -– but there's lots to improve."

Tandy has freshened up his front row due to a six-day turnaround with props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin in the starting team, as Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti drop to the bench.

The absence of British and Irish Lions forward Morgan means Ospreys team-mate Dewi Lake captains the side, as the hooker did on the recent tour of Japan.

Openside flanker Morgan's Autumn Nations Series-ending shoulder injury -- suffered in the act of scoring Wales's third of four tries against the Pumas -- has led to a revamp of the back-row.

Alex Mann moves to openside flanker, with Aaron Wainwright, who is fit despite limping off against Argentina, now on the blindside.

Saturday's match has extra significance ahead of December's World Cup draw, with 12th-placed Wales needing to win to stay above Japan in the rankings, and thus remain in the second pot of seeds for the 2027 tournament in Australia.

Tandy is bidding for a first win in charge after Wales ended an 18-Test losing streak with victory over Japan in July under interim boss -- and now attack coach -- Matt Sherratt.

Japan, thrashed 41-10 by Ireland in Dublin last weekend, are due to name their team later on Thursday.

Wales (15-1)

Blair Murray; Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Olly Cracknell, Alex Mann, Aaron Wainwright; Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins; Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Nicky Smith

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins

Coach: Steve Tandy (WAL)

M.Robinson--AT