Jenkins to start for Wales as Japan visit Principality

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Dafydd Jenkins has retained his starting shirt to face Japan as they visit the Principality Stadium for Wales’ second test of the Quilter Nations Series.

The Welshmen suffered a 28-52 defeat against Argentina in their autumn opener last Sunday afternoon as the Pumas never relinquished the lead they took in the seventh minute from a Pedro Delgado try.

In the absence of Jac Morgan – who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the loss – hooker Dewi Lake assumes the captaincy. Adam Beard is once more named as Jenkins’ second row partner.

Ahead of this weekend, head coach Steve Tandy said: “I think we’ve definitely seen lots of how we want to play against Argentina. There was lots to be pleased about – our attack I thought was excellent and I saw a lot of physicality – but there’s lots to improve.

“So that’s what we’ve been focusing on. We’re looking to build on the first performance into this weekend.”

The fixture, which kicks off at 17:40 on Saturday 15 November, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

Wales:

15 Blair Murray

14 Louis Rees-Zammit

13 Max Llewellyn

12 Ben Thomas

11 Josh Adams

10 Dan Edwards

9 Tomos Williams

1 Nicky Smith

2 Dewi Lake

3 Archie Griffin

4 Dafydd Jenkins

5 Adam Beard

6 Aaron Wainwright

7 Alex Mann

8 Olly Cracknell

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins

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