Overview

• Sherratt has made 11 changes from the team that suffered a 68-14 defeat to England in the Six Nations.
• Flanker Josh Macleod will earn his first Wales cap since the 2022 Autumn Nations Series after overcoming Achilles and shoulder injuries.
• Hooker Liam Belcher is the only uncapped player in the match-day 23 and joins the bench after a decade in regional rugby.
• Flyhalf Sam Costelow returns to start after missing the Six Nations through injury, forming a halfback partnership with scrumhalf Kieran Hardy.
• Saturday’s Test opener in Kitakyushu aims to halt Wales’ record 17 consecutive defeats and set the tone for a broader team rebuild.