Wales head coach Steve Tandy has opted for power in his centre partnership by bringing in Max Llewellyn alongside Eddie James for the Nations Championship opener against Japan on Saturday (16:40 GMT).

Llewellyn, 6ft 6in (1.96m) and 16st 12lbs (107kg) and James, 6ft 4in (1.90m) and 16st 3lbs (103kg), will form one of Wales’ biggest midfield combinations.

Tandy has abandoned his policy of selecting a more recognised ball-player at inside centre with Llewellyn named in the 12 jersey.

Fly-half Sam Costelow is preferred to Dan Edwards, while wings Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit and full-back Blair Murray form the back three.

Props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin start alongside captain Dewi Lake, while Dafydd Jenkins has shaken off a knee injury to resume his Six Nations partnership with Ben Carter. Alex Mann, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright form the back row.

Tandy has made seven personnel changes from the side that lost 43-0 against South Africa in July.

Nine of the 15 starters against Japan, including six of the eight forwards, play club rugby in England. There are three Scarlets players, two from Cardiff, one Dragon and no Ospreys, although half-backs Edwards and Reuben Morgan-Williams have been named as replacements.

“There’s lots of competition for position within the squad, which is where we want to be,” said Tandy.



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