Overview

• Interim coach Matt Sherratt named 11 new starters for Wales’s Test opener in Kitakyushu, restoring flanker Josh Macleod for his first cap since 2022 as the team seeks to end a 17-match losing run.
• Japan coach Eddie Jones fielded two uncapped starters and named six rookies on the bench for a match set to be played in expected 32 °C heat and high humidity that could challenge ball handling.
• Australia’s squad for their only warm-up against Fiji omits Rob Valetini and Will Skelton with calf injuries, recalls former skipper Dave Porecki at hooker, and retains Harry Wilson as captain with Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio in the halves.
• The British & Irish Lions appointed Irish lock Tadhg Beirne to captain their Sydney match against the Waratahs as coach Andy Farrell sizes up Test contenders, while Waratahs coach Dan McKellar selected tighthead prop Taniela Tupou to press his case for the series.
• The Wales-Japan Test, Australia’s fixture in Newcastle and the Lions-Waratahs clash in Sydney form the final warm-up schedule before the British & Irish Lions begin their three-Test series in Brisbane on July 19.