Wales sweat on Faletau fitness for Japan sequel

Taulupe Faletau has been on three British and Irish Lions tours

Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales

Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST

Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app.

Wales will give number eight Taulupe Faletau as much time as possible to prove his fitness for the second Test against Japan in Kobe.

The 34-year-old missed the outdoor training session on Tuesday after coming off in the 56th minute of the 24-19 defeat against the Brave Blossoms in Kitakyushu.

The British and Irish Lions back row looked in discomfort in searing heat, although interim head coach Matt Sherratt said afterwards his departure was a tactical decision.

"He is good, he was tired after the game and did not train on Tuesday," said Wales scrum coach Adam Jones.

"He is an older athlete and done what he has done in his career. He is entitled to have a little bit of break."

If Faletau is not passed fit for this weekend, Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright would be favourite to be promoted from the replacements bench, with Taine Plumtree coming into the squad.

Faletau has been involved in certain aspects of Wales' preparations for the second match in the two Test series.

When asked whether missing a training session could affect his selection, Jones said: "With him, no. He has played more than 100 internationals and been a Test match player since 2011.

"If you don't look after those older players they will break so we are just looking after him, which is a key thing.

"If I was a 34-year-old player for Wales and someone offered me a session off, I would bite their hand off. "

Cardiff number eight Faletau has played 109 internationals for Wales and is the tourists' most experienced performer.

He was one of Wales' leading players in Kitakyushu but could still not help his side avoid an 18th successive international loss.

"He is a brilliant player," said Jones, who played with Faletau for both Wales and the Lions.

"I remember when he came through. He has not really changed much with his movement, the rugby IQ.

"He is not massively vocal but he has a brilliant 'follow me' characteristic, which the boys see in him and get behind.

"He has been excellent for us and we just need the boys to back him up a little bit at times."

Dragons lock Ben Carter has been officially released from the squad because of the concussion he sustained after only 24 seconds in Kitakyushu.

Wales will not call anybody up to replace Carter, with the squad now reduced to 32.

Carter had already been ruled out of the Kobe game after being stretchered off following a heavy collision.

Ospreys lock James Ratti came on in the first minute, while Gloucester's lock Freddie Thomas is set to be involved this weekend.