Llewellyn and James form Wales midfield against Japan

The story

Steve Tandy has selected Max Llewellyn alongside Eddie James in the Wales midfield for Saturday’s Nations Championship match against Japan.

The pairing gives Wales a physically imposing centre combination. BBC Sport reports that Llewellyn will wear number 12, while Sam Costelow is preferred to Dan Edwards at fly-half.

Changes for the autumn opener

Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Blair Murray make up the back three. Captain Dewi Lake starts in the front row, and Dafydd Jenkins returns alongside Ben Carter in the second row.

Tandy has made seven personnel changes from the side that faced South Africa in July. The selection represents another midfield combination as Wales prepare to begin their autumn programme against Japan.