**Graham Price Weighs In: Calls for Sam Costelow to Start as Wales Prepare for Japanese Test**
Welsh rugby legend Graham Price has delivered his verdict ahead of Wales’ upcoming clash with Japan, emphasising the need for a rapid start and advocating for Sam Costelow to command the pivotal fly-half role. The seasoned Price, reflecting on his own experiences touring Japan over fifty years ago, offers a unique perspective on how the current squad should approach what promises to be a stern test on Asian soil.
Price’s own introduction to the Japanese climate during the 1974 tour was a far cry from the professional standards of today. Players resorted to makeshift training routines, sealing themselves into bathrooms filled with steam to simulate the heat and humidity they would face on the pitch. While he chuckles over these memories, Price is keen to note that the modern squad will need every ounce of conditioning, with Eddie Jones’ Japan renowned for their fast-paced, expansive style—especially at home and in high temperatures.
Jones, the former England coach, will be looking for something of a personal redemption during this fixture. The last time he faced Wales, defeat contributed to his early departure from a coaching post. He will undoubtedly view this encounter as an ideal opportunity to prove a point, particularly as his Japanese side sits just a single place behind Wales in the global rankings.
One striking feature of the current Wales squad is its inexperience. No fewer than 20 players in the travelling party have yet to earn ten caps for their country. With just a two-match tour this summer, questions have arisen around whether that is enough to truly bed in new combinations and provide sufficient game time to emerging talents. Price laments the brevity of the schedule, recalling the months-long tours of old, which enabled Welsh teams to acclimatise and test themselves against a range of opponents, both national and provincial.
Notably, some of Wales’ most influential figures—such as Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams—will be absent, either due to Lions duty or injury. This, Price believes, could offer a silver lining by forcing coaches to unearth new leaders within the squad and to try out innovative strategies. With change also comes opportunity, as players like Keelan Giles and Macs Page get a chance to step up to the international stage.
A central debate surrounds who should fill the number ten shirt. Price is unequivocal: Sam Costelow, who missed the Six Nations through injury, ought to start owing to his experience and composure at fly-half. Given that veterans such as Gareth Anscombe are reaching the twilight of their international journeys, the onus is firmly on promising figures like Costelow to seize the moment and steer Wales forward.
Price does not shy away from critiquing Wales’ current leadership situation. The Rugby Union’s failure to appoint a permanent head coach before the tour is, he suggests, a missed opportunity. Interim boss Sherratt might introduce a style or philosophy that could soon be upended by a new appointment, potentially leading to mixed messages within the squad at a crucial moment.
Despite these complications, Price believes Wales can be competitive if they set the tempo. He identifies Tommy Reffell as a key figure at the breakdown, capable of disrupting Japan’s attack and relieving pressure on the Welsh side. Controlling the pace of play, Price asserts, will be central to reversing a worrying run of results—Wales are desperate to break a seventeen-match losing streak.
Looking ahead, Price outlined his preferred starting XV for the game, favouring a blend of youth and experience across the park. From Blair Murray at fullback to Taulupe Faletau anchoring the scrum, it is a line-up he feels can unsettle Jones’ side if allowed to execute their game plan.
As Wales prepare for this vital fixture, all eyes will be on whether Price’s recommendations are heeded, and if a new generation can rise to the challenge against one of rugby’s most rapidly improving nations. The build-up is underscored by both uncertainty and optimism—a combination long familiar to Welsh fans—as the country hopes for a statement performance on the road.