Sean Lynn rewards last week's second-half spark with five changes to the Wales side for Saturday's WXV Test against Japan.
Wales head coach Sean Lynn has made five changes to his team for Saturday's WXV Test against Japan, and the message is clear: impact off the bench gets rewarded.
The reshuffle follows a strong second-half showing last week, when Wales lifted their intensity and changed the feel of the contest. Lynn has acknowledged that spell by promoting players who helped drive it, a selection call that signals form matters more than reputation in this squad.
Five changes is a significant rotation for a tournament Test, and it puts fresh energy and fresh competition into the matchday 23. Players who made a mark late last time now get the chance to start and shape the game from the first whistle, rather than inheriting it.
For Wales, the challenge is to carry that second-half tempo into a full 80 minutes against a Japan side that will bring pace, width and plenty of ambition. If the new-look selection delivers the same spark from the opening exchanges, Lynn's bold call could pay off quickly.
