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Dragons prop Chris Coleman set for Wales debut against Japan

Dragons prop Chris Coleman set for Wales debut against Japan

The 26-year-old from Garndiffaith has been named on the bench for the attempt to end an 18-Test losing streak.
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt has made four changes to the XV that threw away a commanding position to lose 24-19 last week.
Dragons talisman Aaron Wainwright comes in at number eight to replace Taulupe Faletau, who suffered cramping in the heat and humidity of Kitakyushu.
Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards will make his first international start, Archie Griffin gets the nod at tighthead and Gloucester's Freddie Thomas replaces Dragons captain Ben Carter, who suffered a concussion in the first minute last week.
There could be three debuts from the bench with Coleman joined by wing Keelan Giles and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams.
Sherratt said: 'I want to have a little bit of a freshen up. So, Dan Edwards comes in at ten. Dan's trained brilliantly over the three weeks. He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him.
'Unfortunately, Ben Carter has gone home so Freddie Thomas comes in. Keiron Assiratti has not been able to train as much as we'd like this week.
'So, it was more sensible to start Archie [Griffin] and that gives Chris Coleman a chance to make his debut off the bench.
'Toby had a little bit heat stress related cramping [following the game]. We decided it was best Aaron Wainwright starts at No 8.
'We've made a couple of other changes on the bench as well, so delighted for Keelan and Reuben. They thoroughly deserve a chance.'
Coleman's selection is reward for a strong campaign despite the Dragons' struggles with the prop playing in 19 of 22 games, 15 of those appearances as a starter.
He will get a chance to become an international but there is frustration for his Rodney Parade teammates Elliot Dee and Rhodri Williams.
Hooker Dee misses out on the 23 again, with Liam Belcher preferred as captain Dewi Lake's back-up, while scrum-half Williams drops out of the matchday squad.
He was bizarrely left on the bench in the first Test despite the energy-sapping conditions and Kieran Hardy, who has retained his starting spot, failing to fire.
Wales cannot afford to make the same mistakes against a Japan side who were not at their best as they rebuild under Eddie Jones.
Sherratt added: 'I think our biggest challenge this week is going to be repeating some of the good and then in that last 20 minutes it's making our lineout launch more effective so we can get our game on the field. Perhaps being a little bit braver with the ball as well.
'I think atmospherically it's going to be a great experience for the players and obviously there's no getting away from the heat.
'The roof's closed. From experience of the roof being closed in Principality Stadium, the ball can be a little bit greasy.
'It's going to be hot, maybe a little bit wet, but there'll be there'll be some atmosphere because the fans over here love their rugby.'
Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles.
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