Wales coach Matt Sherratt has backed fly-half Dan Edwards to steer a limping ship as Wales face Japan on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Ospreys talent is preparing for his first international start as Wales seek to avoid further pain in the second Test, where they will be without Taulupe Faletau.
In a week marked by disruption and injuries, Sherratt’s faith in Edwards has become the defining feature of his team selection.
The young playmaker replaces Sam Costelow as part of four changes to the side that lost 24-19 in Kitakyushu — a defeat that extended Wales’ losing run to 18 Tests and dropped them to a record-low world ranking of 14th.
“Dan’s trained brilliantly over the three weeks. He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him,” said Sherratt.
Edwards will partner Ospreys teammate Kieran Hardy at half-back, a combination that should offer much-needed continuity in a team under pressure to break its long winless streak.
Having made brief appearances off the bench in the Six Nations, this marks Edwards' first opportunity to steer the side from the start.
While the spotlight is on Edwards, other enforced changes have shaped the line-up.
READ MORE: Wales Interim Coach Matt Sherratt Demands Second Test Response
The most significant absentee is No. 8 Faletau, who has not recovered from heat-related cramps sustained in the first Test.
“Toby [Taulupe] had a little bit of heat stress-related cramping [following the game],” Sherratt explained.
“We decided it was best Aaron Wainwright starts at No 8.”
Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas replaces Ben Carter, who is out with concussion, while Bath prop Archie Griffin steps in for Keiron Assiratti, who hasn’t trained fully this week.
Griffin’s elevation also opens the door for Dragons front-rower Christian Coleman to potentially win his first cap off the bench.
“Keiron Assiratti has not been able to train as much as we’d like this week. So, it was more sensible to start Archie (Griffin) and that gives Chris Coleman a chance to make his debut off the bench,” Sherratt said.
READ MORE: Dewi Lake Says Wales Will Look At Themselves As Matt Sherratt's Side Wilt In Japanese Heat
The match will also offer long-awaited redemption for Keelan Giles, who could finally earn his first cap — nine years after being selected for Wales’ 2016 tour of New Zealand at just 18.
After years of injuries and near-misses, the Ospreys wing has been named among the replacements.
Wales’ bench includes several debut hopefuls, with Reuben Morgan-Williams and James Ratti also among those poised to make their mark.
Despite the backdrop of a dismal run and the threat of a first-ever series loss to Japan, Sherratt insists the emphasis remains on building performance and resilience, particularly in the final quarter — a period where Wales fell short in the opening Test.
“I think our biggest challenge this week is going to be repeating some of the good and then in that last 20 minutes it’s making our lineout launch more effective so we can get our game on the field.
“Perhaps being a little bit braver with the ball as well,” he said.
With Japan eyeing their first series win over a Tier 1 nation and Wales aiming to avoid a historic 19th consecutive defeat, Saturday's match in Kobe is set to be a test of character as much as skill.
READ MORE: Mark Jones Insists Ospreys Are On The Rise Again After Dan Edwards Inspires Draw Against Cardiff
But for Sherratt, Edwards' start signals more than just a selection gamble — it's a vote of confidence in the next generation.
“Dan’s trained brilliantly over the three weeks. He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him,” Sherratt repeated.
Japan coach Eddie Jones has made five changes to his starting side, including the selection of Toulouse scrum-half Naito Saito who was unavailable for the first game having just been part of the Top14 winning side.
Kubota prop Keijiro Tamefusa, number eight Faulua Makisi, wing Halatoa Vailea and full-back Ichigo Nakakusu are also named, while Australian-born back Sam Greene could make his debut from the bench.
Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi.
Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Ueda.
Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles.
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
