Wales tour Japan this summer hoping to put an end to a record 17 Test matches without a victory. It is very hard to get excited for Wales' trip to the Far East given their poor form, along with the fact the Welsh Rugby Union have not yet appointed a head coach to replace Warren Gatland. WRU CEO Abi Tierney told the Welsh Rugby Podcast recently it was her preference to have a permanent head coach in place in time for the tour of Japan. But she also did not rule out the prospect of an interim head coach being in charge if they hadn't found the right candidate in time. In recent times a Wales tour which coincides with a British & Irish Lions trip to the Southern Hemisphere would provide an opportunity to blood a plethora of uncapped players. But Wales' representation in Australia this summer will be very slim, plus there will be huge pressure to put an end to a wretched run of results. Despite this whoever is in charge is likely to want to take a look at a handful of young players. Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas picks his squad to tour Japan. The back-three was not Wales' biggest problem during the Six Nations with the pack unable to win enough front-foot ball for the likes of Blair Murray and Ellis Mee to thrive. Rising Scarlets star Murray was one of Wales' better players during the Six Nations and has even been tipped as a potential Lions bolter by some experts. That's probably stretching it a little bit but Murray will continue to be an important part of this Wales squad moving forward. His Scarlets colleague Mee is a work in progress having enjoyed a promising debut against Ireland but was found wanting in defence against Scotland and England. But even so the right thing to do would be to persevere with the 21-year-old. Tom Rogers is expected back from a broken thumb in the near future and has played well in a struggling Wales team. Josh Adams is not the force of old but his experience should come in handy. Liam Williams should have recovered from a knee injury by then but if Wales want him to get through to the next World Cup he needs to be looked after, so he could do with a summer off. Cam Winnett has been in fine form for Cardiff of late and deserves to come back into the mix, while Gloucester speedster Josh Hathaway is suited to the fast pace of Japanese rugby. Dragons wing Rio Dyer and full-back Huw Anderson are also contenders, as is Cardiff's Jacob Beetham. Back-three: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Ellis Mee, Cameron Winnett, Josh Hathaway, Josh Adams. Gatland struggled to find the right centre combination during his second stint in charge of Wales. They should retain Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn who showed glimpses of what they are capable of against Ireland and Scotland, even if the England defeat was a disaster. Scarlets pair Eddie James and Joe Roberts are two players with a high ceiling who should play a big part in the rebuilding process. The 20-year-old Scarlets centre Macs Page will surely be knocking on the door before too long. Page - who can also play on the wing - is dynamite in attack with his explosive carrying, electric footwork and top-end pace making him a huge asset to whatever team he plays for. The man from Crymych is pure X factor and is capable of creating opportunities out of nothing. Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin would offer experience and solidity but Wales need to try something different. Centres: Eddie James, Joe Roberts, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Macs Page It would be great to see Dan Edwards given the number 10 shirt from the off this summer. The 21-year-old has been outstanding for the Ospreys over the past couple of seasons and is the form 10 in Wales. Gareth Anscombe is still around but Wales need to find a younger alternative to the 33-year-old and Edwards looks best placed to succeed him in the long run. Sam Costelow is expected to be fit by the end of the season and should come back into the squad, while Harlequins playmaker Jarrod Evans deserves to retain his place. As far as the scrum-halves we are going to assume that Tomos Williams will be on the Lions tour, although he wasn't at his best during the Six Nations. Kieran Hardy has been excellent for the Ospreys of late and deserves a recall to the squad. If Williams is away with the Lions Hardy should be first choice in Japan while his Ospreys team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams deserves a chance having performed well at regional level for a couple of seasons. Half-backs: Kieran Hardy, Rhodri Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Edwards, Sam Costelow, Jarrod Evans. Jac Morgan will almost certainly be with the Lions meaning Tommy Reffell is likely to start at openside. Wales may opt to rest Taulupe Faletau, but given how desperate they are to get a win it will probably be a case of needs must. One player who absolutely should be on this tour is Ospreys backrower Morgan Morse. Wales U20s have already confirmed he won't be playing in the U20s World Championship this summer. The 20-year-old is a tremendous prospect. Morse is an explosive carrier who consistently makes significant post-contact metres while he is also very good at the breakdown. The Ospreys man is not just a player for the future but for the here and now. Aaron Wainwright should retain his place, while James Botham is also a likely selection because he can cover the backrow. One of the form players in Welsh rugby this season has been Scarlets captain Josh Macleod. The 28-year-old is outstanding at the breakdown and if it wasn't for a series of injuries would have won more than two caps for his country. But there's still time for Macleod and if the new coach is picking on form he should tour Japan this summer. Taine Plumtree, Taine Basham and Morgan Morris are also strong contenders but just miss out on this squad. Back-row: Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau, Morgan Morse, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Josh Macleod. Wales will be boosted by the return of experienced Ospreys second-row Adam Beard this summer. Will Rowlands has been below par this season and could do with the summer off. Teddy Williams went well as a replacement during the Six Nations and deserves a shot to start alongside Dafydd Jenkins. Exeter's Christ Tshiunza has had a rough season but he goes as the hybrid lock who can also cover the backrow. Gloucester's Freddie Thomas sneaks in, although there are some who believe his long-term future to be in the backrow. Wales are short of strength in depth at lock and one player who has long been touted for international honours is Ospreys second-row James Fender. The 23-year-old is a good lineout forward who relishes the physical confrontations and has the potential to excel at Test level in the future. Second-row: Adam Beard, Teddy Williams, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Freddie Thomas, James Fender. As long as they are not away with the Lions both Nicky Smith and Gareth Thomas should be with Wales in Japan. Scarlets man Kemsley Mathias is currently sidelined with injury so this could provide an opportunity for Corey Domachowski to come back into the fold. Domachowski has been scrummaging well for Cardiff and deserves a second opportunity with Wales. On the tighthead Wales will welcome back Archie Griffin who missed the Six Nations. Griffin is a work in progress at the scrum but is a huge asset around the park and has a bright future at Test level. WillGriff John scrummaged well against Ireland but things didn't go well at all in the defeats against Scotland and England respectively. Scarlets prop Henry Thomas should be selected for his experience while Keiron Assiratti could edge John out of the squad. We are going to assume that Dewi Lake is going to be away with the Lions but Wales will be boosted by the return of powerful Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias. Elliot Dee did a decent job during the Six Nations and will retain his place, while Evan Lloyd has been playing well for Cardiff. Front-row: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Corey Domachowski, Archie Griffin, Keiron Assiratti, Henry Thomas, Ryan Elias, Evan Lloyd, Elliot Dee.