Overview
- Wales, under interim coach Matt Sherratt, head to Kitakyushu for Sunday’s opener aiming to snap a 17-Test losing streak, the longest among Tier One nations
- Hooker Dewi Lake captains a Wales side bolstered by flanker Josh Macleod’s return and key inclusions like Sam Costelow and Ben Carter, with players acclimating to sticky, humid conditions
- Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies will face Fiji in Newcastle this Sunday as their sole tune-up ahead of the July 19 Lions series, recalling former captain Dave Porecki and retaining Harry Wilson as skipper
- Injuries to Rob Valetini and Will Skelton hand Langi Gleeson a starting blindside role while Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio form Australia’s halfback partnership
- The British & Irish Lions, having scored over 50 points in each of their first two tour matches, will be captained by Tadhg Beirne as debutants Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan feature against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday