Sam Warburton to lead much-changed Wales against Japan

Sam Warburton will captain Wales for the 49th time

Sam Warburton will captain a Wales team showing 10 changes from the win over Argentina when they play Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

Jamie Roberts returns to partner Jonathan Davies at centre after being dropped against the Pumas.

Gareth Anscombe plays at fly-half with Sam Davies on the bench.

Liam Williams moves from wing to full-back with Leigh Halfpenny going to the wing and uncapped Osprey Keelan Giles on the bench.

Warburton played blind-side in the 24-20 win over Argentina, when Gethin Jenkins captained the team.

Other changes see Lloyd Williams at scrum-half with Gareth Davies on the bench and a completely new front row.

Alun Wyn Jones will win his 104th Wales cap and is partnered in the second row by Newport Gwent Dragons' Cory Hill, who will be making his second Test appearance.

Coach Rob Howley said the experience in his team selection would balance the high number of changes.

"We're playing Liam Williams in his preferred role. It's another opportunity for Leigh Halfpenny to kick in a game and I feel it's the best back three really to play against Japan," he said.

"We want to see Leigh Halfpenny and Liam play together and George [North] had played the last two and it's important we give everyone a chance to put their hand up for next week [South Africa].

"It's an opportunity for some of them to put their hands up after a disappointing display against Australia and it's also a chance to blood some players in with experienced players around them.

"In terms of Cory Hill playing alongside Alun Wyn, James King playing alongside Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton and Keelan Giles to come hopefully on at some stage in the game to play in an experienced backline.

"Also, whether it's Gareth or Sam at 10 to play in a game with two experienced centres.

"It's important to have experience in an international and it shows huge respect to Japan with the side that we've picked."

Wales: Liam Williams; Leigh Halfpenny Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), James King.

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Keelan Giles.