Wales captain Jac Morgan will miss the rest of the Autumn Nations Series after dislocating his shoulder.
Morgan suffered the injury while scoring a try in Sunday’s 52-28 defeat to Argentina and will sit out the remaining matches against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Uncapped Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves has been called into the squad as Morgan’s replacement.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: “We’re all gutted to lose Jac – he’s a world-class player, as well as a great man off the pitch.
“But this gives an opportunity now for someone else and Harri has been performing strongly for the Ospreys for a consistent period.”
Wales’ game with Japan on Saturday (5.40pm kick-off) is a key fixture in the battle to be in Band 2 for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw on December 3. Wales and Japan are 12th and 13th in the world rankings respectively; the side finishing 12th after the Autumn Nations Series will be placed in Band 2 for the World Cup, while 13th would fall into Band 3 and a tougher pool.
Japan were the team Wales beat in July to end a run of 18 straight defeats.