Louis Rees-Zammit will make his first start for Wales since returning to Rugby Union following an attempt to carve out an NFL career, as they host Japan on Sunday.

Rees-Zammit surprisingly turned his back on the sport in early 2024 to pursue a career in American football.

He signed contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars, intending to play as a running back or wide receiver, but never played a competitive game.

The 24-year-old winger returned to rugby in August, joining Gallagher Premiership side Bristol Bears, and he returned to the Wales fold as a replacement in last Sunday's 52-28 defeat to Argentina.

On Thursday, he was named in Steve Tandy's starting XV for this weekend's match at the Principality Stadium, which could prove crucial to Wales' hopes of getting a kinder pool-stage draw at the 2027 World Cup.

Wales are currently ranked 12th in the world, which would be good enough for a band-two seeding when the World Cup draw rolls around, but Japan will overtake them if they gain at least a draw in Cardiff.

Tandy said: "Louis Rees-Zammit comes in on the wing. He played a good few minutes last weekend, and we feel he's ready to return to the starting lineup.

"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."

𝗧î𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂

Here is your Wales to face Japan in our second @QuilterNations clash this Saturday @PrincipalitySta, KO 17.40! #CymruAmByth | #QuilterNationsSeries

— Welsh Rugby Union  (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 13, 2025

Dewi Lake has been named captain for the game, having also led the side during their two-match series against the same opponents in July. 

Wales XV: Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams, Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Olly Cracknell, Alex Mann, Aaron Wainwright, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (captain), Nicky Smith.

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