ALIX Popham gets his chance to stake his claim to a full Welsh debut at the weekend when he packs down against a Japan Select XV in Osaka tomorrow.

The Newport number eight is under no illusions as to what is at stake both personally and from a team perspective as the tourists try to get their tour back on track after the bitter disappointment of the opening game defeat against Suntory.

After that shock 45-41 defeat to the Japanese champions in Tokyo at the weekend Wales know they have to bounce back ahead of Sunday's first Test.

The 21-year-old Popham is expecting an even tougher game against a Japan Select side.

After that opening defeat of their five match tour, Wales A star Popham is convinced the Welsh party now knows what to expect and won't be taking any team lightly.

"We can't under-estimate any of Japanese opponents. We are expecting the Select XV to be as committed as Suntory and play for the full 80 minutes," said Popham.

"Japanese sides like to spread the ball wide and we at least now know what to expect from the teams we face from here on in. Suntory kept going in the first game and wanted the last try to clinch the win - and got it.

"The Select side will have quite a few overseas players in their line-up and we are expecting them to be even tougher than Suntory.

"I think they will be more conservative than Suntory and, because they are a scratch side, they won't be as well organised."

Popham joins former Ebbw Vale star Nathan Budgett, who joined Bridgend at the end of this season, and Jamie Ringer in the back row.

He admits facing a battle to grab a Wales Test place against Japan next Sunday in Osaka, but he is determined to win his first cap.

"My goal on the tour is to get into the Test 22 and I know I have to play well to achieve that," said Popham.

"We have some good backrow players out here and that will be tough."