Ceri Sweeney is out to take advantage of Stephen Jones' absence when he starts as Wales fly-half against Japan on Friday night. "Stephen's been playing so well so chances are limited, but I hope to put myself forward," said the 24-year-old.
"Everything's building towards the Six Nations, the autumn games have been a stepping stone and I think we can be right up there competing this season.
"We still need a good, professional performance against Japan, though."
Jones has returned to his French club Clermont-Auvergne along with Gareth Thomas (Toulouse) and Gareth Llewellyn (Narbonne), giving Sweeney the chance to win his 18th cap.
 |  The new players coming in will have a point to prove |
Sweeney is joined in the team by Rhys Williams, who has seen Shane Williams, Hal Luscombe and Blues team-mate Tom Shanklin selected ahead of him on the wing this autumn. "We'll give Japan the utmost respect, their recent results haven't done them justice," said Williams, 24.
"The new players coming in will have a point to prove and as long as I'm given a chance I'll be happy."
Also starting is Ospreys forward Jonathan Thomas, whose chances of breaking into Wales' first-choice XV were scuppered by a three-match ban for punching in the Ospreys' Heineken Cup defeat at Castres in October.
| We play at a high tempo and I think Japan like to do the same |
"It will be great to be a part of the side, it's been difficult watching the boys playing so well, everyone's dying to get in this Wales team," said the 21-year-old. "It should be a great game of rugby to watch, we play at a high tempo and I think Japan like to do the same.
"We won't need any extra motivation than to play for Wales at the Millennium Stadium, but I hope that people come out and get behind us, it makes a big difference."
MMIX
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