Wales coach Gareth Jenkins named ten changes including an entirely new front row for his side's World Cup Pool B match with Japan at the Millennium Stadium.

Jenkins then launched an attack on the Welsh media accusing them of attempting to "destabilise and dismantle" team spirit following reports of a rift within the camp.

Jenkins said the changes were not connected to the 32-20 loss to the Wallabies on Saturday.

"We can't believe the country we have come back to. The local area we were staying in Brittany was fully behind us but and I'm amazed at the level of negativity in the way things are being reported in Wales," he said.

"There are personal issues and agendas going on where the press have personalised everything. It's hard to believe what the hell is going on. It's very disappointing but that negativity has not come into the squad. We are very tight and we all have a huge respect and regard for what we are trying to achieve.

"On the way to the game on Saturday, there wasn't one supporter who didn't cheer us as we drove by and the atmosphere inside the stadium was fantastic. The people still support us so there's a huge disparity somewhere."

Jenkins has rested several key players while captain Gareth Thomas and centre Sonny Parker have both been ruled out through injury. British Lions trio Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams will sit the game out.

Shane Williams and Stephen Jones, who captains Wales for the first time since the Six Nations championship, are the only survivors in the backline with Kevin Morgan, Dafydd James, Jamie Robinson, James Hook and Michael Phillips all starting.

Duncan Jones, Rhys Thomas and Chris Horsman form a new front row, Gloucester lock Will James is handed a World Cup debut and Alix Popham starts at number eight.

Wing Williams, who has scored a Welsh record 14 tries against Japan, including four in one match, will win his 50th cap in the match.

"It's been an extra bonus to get my 50th cap at home," he said. "Japan certainly is a game which suits me. Both sides play an open style of game."

Japan go into the match on the back of their thrilling clash with Fiji last week where they picked up a bonus point for losing by less than seven points and held the lead several times in the 35-31 defeat.

With a vocal 70,000 home crowd expected in Cardiff, the Cherry Blossoms have added an extra element to their training over recent days, playing loud Welsh chanting while they practise.

"It's a tactic I used in Italy," said Japan coach John Kirwan. "A few of the boys are having trouble communicating with the noise of the crowd, so we are trying to get them used to it."

Wales have won each of the 10 encounters between the teams, the last one a 98-0 drubbing in November 2004.

Wales - 15-Kevin Morgan, 14-Dafydd James, 13-Jamie Robinson, 12-James Hook, 11-Shane Williams, 10-Stephen Jones (captain), 9-Mike Phillips, 8-Alix Popham, 7-Colin Charvis, 6-Jonathan Thomas, 5-Alun-Wyn Jones, 4-Will James, 3-Chris Horsman, 2-Rhys Thomas, 1-Duncan Jones.

Replacements: 16-Huw Bennett, 17-Gethin Jenkins, 16-Ian Evans, 17-Martyn Williams, 18-Gareth Cooper, 19-Ceri Sweeney, 20-Tom Shanklin.

Reuters