Wales head to Japan not from a position of strength, but off the back of a record-breaking 17-Test losing streak and a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon. With only two Welshmen selected for the Lions – Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams – the focus in Japan is not development, but results.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00In a World Cup cycle that coincides with the British and Irish Lions tour, a summer trip like Wales' two-test series in Japan would typically offer a perfect chance to blood new players.
00:14In years gone by, the likes of Jonathan Davis, Dan Lyddiate and Sam Warburton all emerged during similar tours, while senior stars were with the Lions.
00:26But this time the context is entirely different.
00:30Wales head to Japan not from a position of strength, but off the back of a record-breaking 17-tests losing streak and a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon.
00:42With only two Welshmen selected for the Lions, Jack Morgan and Thomas Williams, the focus is in Japan and not development, but results.
00:54Interim head coach Matt Sherratt is expected to lead the tour and the Cardiff boss is likely to select a strong squad as possible, while a few youngsters like Morgan Morse and Max Page may travel for experience.
01:10The starting team needs proven performers.
01:13And then trying to build a base for the game, but it's always easy to look at the top of the pyramid, the national team and the regions.
01:22But any good team, it starts with the grassroots and the foundations of the academy.
01:29The potential return of Tolupe Filetau and Dewey Lake will boost experience, while players like Archie Griffin can win it, and Adam Beard should feature prominently.
01:40Injuries to the line could even see fringe players like Lake or Filetau called up mid-tour.
01:47Importantly, this tour offers a rare chance to reset the national mood.
01:51A winless summer could damage the WRU brand further and dent Wales' World Cup seeding.
01:58Sherratt has impressed with Cardiff, and this tour is a key moment in his coaching journey too.
02:05For Wales, it's no longer about long-term planning.
02:08It's about halting the slide.
02:11And that starts in Japan.