Steve Tandy goes for a physical Wales centre partnership, with Max Llewellyn and Eddie James paired up for Saturday's Nations Championship meeting with Japan.
Wales have picked their midfield for Japan, and it's built on power. Head coach Steve Tandy has paired Max Llewellyn with Eddie James in the centres for Saturday's Nations Championship fixture.
The selection looks like a clear statement of intent. Tandy wants carriers who can win the gainline and put Wales on the front foot. Llewellyn and James give him that physical edge in the channels that matter most against a side expected to move the ball quickly.
Japan are known for their speed, width and willingness to play at tempo. Wales will want to slow that rhythm down by dominating collisions and forcing the visitors to defend for long phases. A bruising centre pairing is one way to do it.
The Nations Championship gives every fixture extra weight, and Tandy's midfield call shows how he wants Wales to approach this one: direct, aggressive and physical. Saturday will show whether the plan works against Japan's pace.
