The strongest Wales XV Tandy can now pick to face Japan as big calls emerge

Steve Tandy has some big calls to make ahead of Wales' Nations Championship opener against Japan…

By Steffan Thomas · Wales Online

Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 11:05 AM

Key Things to Know

Steffan Thomas outlines his projected strongest Wales starting XV under Steve Tandy to face Japan next month.
The writer projects Dan Edwards and Tomos Williams to start at half-back, with Dewi Lake captaining the side.
Steve Tandy indicated on the Scrum V podcast that he views Scarlets midfielder Eddie James as an outside centre.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Wales Online’s Steffan Thomas outlines his projected strongest Wales XV under Steve Tandy to face Japan next month. Thomas names a lineup featuring Blair Murray at full-back alongside wingers Louis Rees-Zammit and Ellis Mee, with Joe Hawkins and Eddie James selected in the midfield. Dan Edwards and Tomos Williams form the predicted half-back pairing, with Dewi Lake chosen as captain at hooker.

In the pack, Thomas selects props Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis alongside locks Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter. Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, and Aaron Wainwright complete the back row in the proposed starting team.

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The strongest Wales XV Tandy can now pick to face Japan as big calls emerge

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