Howells upbeat despite defeat

A serious injury to Mark Jones was a major setback

Wales coach Lyn Howells was disappointed with his young team's 36-16 defeat against the Pacific Barbarians but pleased with the commitment shown in Tokyo.

"The oldest player on our side today was 25. It's a big task for our youngsters to go up against lads who have experience playing for New Zealand," said Howells.

"Obviously I'm disappointed with the result, but I'm very pleased with the boys' attitude."

After the demolition of Japan in the first Test on Sunday, Howells made 14 changes, including bringing in young centre Tom Jackson and winger Mark Jones, who both impressed in an otherwise subdued performance.

We saw that Japanese rugby was stronger than we first thought

  Wales coach Lyn Howells

"Both Tom and Mark did very well - and Jamie Ringer - but apart from that the boys were overawed," Howells admitted.

Indeed the performance of Jones, who scored Wales' only try, must have put him in the running for a place in the second Test on Sunday.

But he was stretched with knee ligaments damage which is likely to bring his tour to a premature end.

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After giving the younger players a run-out in the first match against club side Suntory and again today, Howells said he would be returning to a full-strength line-up for the second Test.

"Suntory was a game that made us change our tour plan.

"We saw that Japanese rugby was stronger than we first thought, so we put more experienced players into the team for the first Test.

"That's what we'll do on Sunday."