Maybe it is an indication that Wales are improving that this latest close victory over Japan was greeted with a shrug instead of euphoria.
A year ago, almost to the day, Steve Tandy, the Welsh head coach jumped around and hugged his staff, after a one-point win over the Brave Blossoms and there were even reports of red-shirted fans in this stadium crying in joy and relief.
Yet that was Wales’s first home success in 10 Tests and, despite the form since hardly raising itself anywhere near levels of excellence, much more was expected on this occasion.
Yes, Tandy’s men prevailed and it was a positive to watch Louis Rees-Zammit in good nick on the wing. But on the whole, it was very sloppy and with a more generous referee, Japan might have taken something from this Nations Championship encounter.
Wales scored four tries and grabbed a bonus point to all but ensure that they will not be in the basement battle on finals weekend at Twickenham at the end of the month. But this was a display which definitely did not scream “Bring on the All Blacks!” or even Australia, who visit the capital in the next two weekends. More substantial improvement will definitely be required.
More to follow...
Tandy’s view
Jones: I liked the way the team stuck together
Captain Lake’s assessment
ITV panel reflect on Rees-Zammit’s influential performance
Player of the match Rees-Zammit reacts
FT: Wales 28 Japan 21
Wales secure a narrow but much-needed victory over Japan in Cardiff, returning to winning ways in the Nations Championship.
79 min: Wales 28 Japan 21
Helu makes ground as Japan advance over Wales’ 22, but Adams defends brilliantly to get over the ball and force the penalty. That should be that for Wales.
TRY! Japan pile on the pressure with a late score
That’s a splendid try. A spell of Japanese pressure ends with Helu’s exquisite offload to Fukuda, who makes a simple dash over the try line to score. Komura adds the extras. It’s back to being a seven-point game. Wales will be full of nerves now. Japan have nothing to lose.
72 min: Wales 28 Japan 14
Wales are edging closer to a vital victory, but they need to be careful as a late Japan try will set up a very nervy finish.
TRY! Relief for Wales
The hosts eventually extend their advantage and the Principality Stadium erupts. Murray latches onto a loose ball from a high kick and initiates a counter attack from a brilliant run from deep down the left. He finds the supporting Williams, who tees up Adams. The winger trails the inside line and outpaces his marker to ground the ball in the bottom left corner. Edwards arrows a terrific conversion through the posts to provide further daylight between the two nations.
66 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
James attempts a grubber kick, which Adams desperately chases. As he races for the ball, there’s a knock-on before James eventually grounds it.
63 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Japan creep into Wales’ 22 through Ishida’s positive run, but they concede a penalty meaning their latest attack comes to nothing. Wales have another line-out stolen. Both teams are struggling to find a rhythm in this second half.
60 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
There’s definitely a nervous energy around the Principality Stadium. With upcoming matches against New Zealand and Australia, this is a must-win for Tandy’s side.
58 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
This time, Wales take a solid driving line-out but the ball is eventually stolen as Mann loses possession. Japan kick clear to relieve the pressure on themselves.
57 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Wales have a penalty advantage and lose possession, so play is bought back and the hosts kick it into touch for a five-metre line-out. Can Wales make the most of this golden chance? Their line-outs have been questionable today.
54 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Morgan bursts through Japan’s defensive line thanks to Wainwright’s impressive carry, and instead of passing to Williams, he tries to score himself. Japan recover well and tackle the flanker. The hosts recycle the ball and with a numerical advantage on the right Costelow strangely chooses to loop a kick over to Rees-Zammit, who can’t quite gather possession.
52 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Lake redeems himself for that previous error after getting over the top of the ball following Griffin’s strong tackle as Wales steal possession at the breakdown.
51 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Lake concedes needless penalty, allowing Saito to kick inside Wales’ 22. This could spell danger for Wales...
49 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Japan have enjoyed 80% possession in this second half but have nothing to show for it. Wales are being sensible and aren’t committing too many men in the breakdown. They’re keeping their shape.
48 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Kitahara’s grubber kick is mopped up by Murray, but the Welshman is forced to kick the ball into touch.
46 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Wales’ defence holds very firm and after 15 phases of play, Japan are unable to break them down or advance into their 22.
42 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Costelow works some room and has supporting runners on the right that have loads of space to exploit. However, The fly-half tries a push-through kick and concedes possession, causing the promising opportunity to disappear.
41 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
We are back under way for the second half. Can Wales hold onto or extend their advantage?
HT verdict
That seems such a big try just before half-time for Wales. A tremendous offload from Eddie James sets up Blair Murray to put in Louis Rees-Zammit, the poster boy who gives it the Cole Palmer “shivering” celebration.
Wales have been sloppy and indisciplined in this first half and the last thing they want to give the opportunistic Japanese is a sniff.
Wales still had to keep out the visitors on the brink of the whistle to ensure they lead at the break, but Steve Tandy will urge his men to tighten it up.
HT: Wales 21 Japan 14
Wales hold a narrow seven-point lead over Japan thanks to Rees-Zammit’s late try at the end of the first half. The pacey winger has been Wales’ standout performer so far. He’s constantly forced the issue and allowed his team to gain vital territory with his darting runs.
42 min: Wales 21 Japan 14
Japan are very close to scoring a late try in the first half as Wales fail to stamp their authority on the restart. But just metres out from the line, Smith steals possession with a pivotal turnover to ensure that Wales stay ahead as we enter the break.
TRY! Rees-Zammit lifts the crowd with an excellent score
Rees-Zammit gets his first try in eight games for Wales. The winger initially completes his seventh carry of the match to force Wales up the pitch. In the next attacking phase, James bulldozes Saito in a physical mismatch and passes to Murray, who unselfishly offloads to Rees-Zammit. The 25-year-old looks like he’s going to sprint for the corner, but he dances inside Tua, leaving the Japanese centre on the deck with a delightful body faint to score. Costelow then bags his third conversion.
35 min: Wales 14 Japan 14
Costelow brilliantly kicks for the corner after Japan are cautioned at a line-out. Lake’s throw swerves too far backwards and Japan are gifted a scrum. That’s criminally lackadaisical from Wales. Tandy will be so frustrated with that.
TRY! Japan reply almost immediately
They weren’t behind for long. Following a five-metre line out, Gunter swivels and takes Japan even closer to the line. Dearns leads the next charge and bulldozes past both Lake and Smith to score. Saito adds the extras to haul Japan back into the contest.
TRY! Wales hit back thanks to Adams
Wales pop a series of flat passes around out wide on the right. James offloads to Morgan, who then plays in Rees-Zammit. The electric winger tries to score himself, but he’s tackled. However, he has the presence of mind to tee up Adams, who sidesteps a challenge before diving over the line. Costelow adds the extras and Wales are ahead by seven once again.
27 min: Wales 7 Japan 7
After a great start for Wales, Japan hit back and the game has turned into a very open affair. Eddie Jones will love it if this contest remains this way. Wales have to exert some control.
25 min: Wales 7 Japan 7
Harada shifts over the gain line after making territory via sprint from the inside ball. The away side sit a few yards inside Wales’ 22 and Kitahara misjudges a kick and tries to test Murray’s catching skills. The full-back passes the test, forcing Japan back into their own half.
24 min: Wales 7 Japan 7
On this occasion, James rips the ball from Japan’s grasp and Williams’ monstrous kick relieves the pressure on Wales.
22 min: Wales 7 Japan 7
Wales are struggling to find width in this attacking spell. The backs attempt to fold around the corner, but Japan maintain their shape and close down the possible angles. Wales are stuck on the edge of Japan’s 22. They’re having to be really patient. The latest attack ends after 16 phases. Wales are penalised for neck roll as Carter goes too high in the ruck and collides with Hockings. The visiting defence holds firm.
17 min: Wales 7 Japan 7
It’s been a frantic and enthralling start to the Test. James makes good progress out wide on the left and then offloads. However, Griffen then commits a knock-on and the attack disappears.
13 min: Wales 7 Japan 7
Wainwright bursts through Japan’s defence and is powering towards Japan’s try line, but Kitahara’s clever tap-tackle bumps the Wales man off the ball.
TRY! Japan respond
It’s a dreadful try for Wales to concede. Murray initially does well to catch a high kick, but at the breakdown he’s dispossessed and the hosts’ shape is all over the place. Japan smoothly work the ball out to the right and Gunter spots a gap and sidesteps Adams to reach the line in style. Saito bags the conversion and we’re back level.
8 min: Wales 7 Japan 0
Carter holds up Inoke and turns the ball over as Wales survive a period of Japanese possession. It’s great defensive work from the lock. The winger stays down and then limps off, forcing Japan into an early change. Play will resume with a Wales scrum.
TRY! Wales score early
Wales’ fast start is rewarded. The hosts recycle the line-out and the ball is worked out of the ruck from Williams to the arriving Griffin, who times his run perfectly to dive over and score his first international try. Costelow adds the extras and Wales bag the full seven-point haul.
3 min: Wales 0 Japan 0
Rees-Zammit makes incredible territory from deep, sprinting from inside his own 22 well into Japan’s half before he is eventually apprehended. Wales then win the penalty advantage and kick for the five-metre line-out.
Kick-off
Wales, in their alternate white and green strip, get us under way in Cardiff.
Players out on the pitch
After the Remembrance Day commemorations, the national anthems get under way. The whole of the Principality Stadium signs the Welsh edition in unison. Kick-off is just minutes away now.
Must win for Wales
Does not seem to be many here at the Principality Stadium at the moment and the streets outside seemed quieter than usual on the way in. But the Welsh Rugby Union says there will be 50,000 in attendance so we shall take them at their word.
This is the fourth time these two nations have faced each other in 16 months, with Wales having won two and lost one. Defeat is out of the question today, with New Zealand and Australia visiting in the next two weekends. In truth, Wales, with so many players firing in the English Prem, should comfortably prevail.
Reminder of the teams
Wales: 15 Murray, 14 Rees-Zammit, 13 James, 12 Llewellyn, 11 Adams, 10 Costelow, 9 T. Williams, 1 Smith, 2 Lake, 3 Griffin, 4 Jenkins, 5 Carter, 6 Mann, 7 Morgan, 8 Wainwright.
Replacements: 16 Elias, 17 Carre, 18 Francis, 19 T. Williams, 20 Botham, 21 Morgan-Williams, 22 Edwards, 23 Hennessey.
Japan: 15 Ueda, 14 Ishida, 13 Riley, 12 Tua, 11 Burua, 10 Kitahara, 9 Saito, 1 Kamimori, 2 Harada, 3 Takeuchi, 4 Hocking, 5 W. Dearns, 6 Gunter, 7 Shimokawa, 8 Cornelsen.
Replacements: 16 Sato, 17 Otsuka, 18 Helu, 19 Stolberg, 20 Costley, 21 Fukuda, 22 Komura, 23 C. Lee.
Full focus
Nations Championship scores and fixtures
Friday:
Ireland 42 Argentina 12
Saturday:
Italy 7 South Africa 66
Scotland 21 New Zealand 43
France vs Fiji (20:10)
Sunday:
England vs Australia (15:10)
Words from Jones
Japan head coach Eddie Jones said: “We played Wales three times last year, including an historic second win over them in Kitakyushu. We were a little bit off our best in Kobe and in the third game in Cardiff we were in a position to win the match.
“We’ve never beaten them in Cardiff and as all rugby lovers know, Principality Stadium is one of the most iconic rugby stadiums in the world. We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to get ourselves right and be full of energy, purpose and passionate kick-off. We know how we want to play and we’ve got to do it with a lot of energy and passion.”
Morgan’s preview
Wales player arrivals
Teams in full
Wales: 15 Murray, 14 Rees-Zammit, 13 James, 12 Llewellyn, 11 Adams, 10 Costelow, 9 T. Williams, 1 Smith, 2 Lake, 3 Griffin, 4 Jenkins, 5 Carter, 6 Mann, 7 Morgan, 8 Wainwright.
Replacements: 16 Elias, 17 Carre, 18 Francis, 19 T. Williams, 20 Botham, 21 Morgan-Williams, 22 Edwards, 23 Hennessey.
Japan: 15 Ueda, 14 Ishida, 13 Riley, 12 Tua, 11 Burua, 10 Kitahara, 9 Saito, 1 Kamimori, 2 Harada, 3 Takeuchi, 4 Hocking, 5 W. Dearns, 6 Gunter, 7 Shimokawa, 8 Cornelsen.
Replacements: 16 Sato, 17 Otsuka, 18 Helu, 19 Stolberg, 20 Costley, 21 Fukuda, 22 Komura, 23 C. Lee.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand).
Japan team news
Wales team news
Wales in need of a win
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of this Nations Championship Test as Wales take on Japan at Principality Stadium.
After beating Fiji 39-24 in their opening match of the competition, Wales have since slumped to back-to-back defeats against Argentina (35-21) and South Africa (43-0) as they flounder in fifth in the Northern Hemisphere table with a points difference of -42.
Japan have also endured a tricky start to the Nations Championship, having suffered defeats to both Ireland (36-20) and France (42-15) after initially overcoming Italy (27-10). Eddie Jones’ side occupy fifth spot in the Southern Hemisphere table.
Four months on, with both countries coming off the back of consecutive losses in this competition, they now have a chance to return to winning ways.
Speaking ahead of this contest, Wales head coach Steve Tandy was full of praise for Japan. “Japan are an outstanding rugby team, they hold the ball for long periods, the young outside half they’ve brought in is very influential in how they play, and their set-piece is really impressive as well,” Tandy said.
“When you look at their defensive line-up, their scrum, they’re a well-rounded team and they’re really well coached. They’re also very disciplined in how they go about things, so we give massive respect to what they are doing.
“You can see their game is going deeper and we know how much of a positive influence they’ve got in Eddie Jones and his coaching team. We know we’re going to have to start really, really strongly, because they’re a top-class outfit.”
Wales’ dramatic 24-23 win over Japan back in November 2025 was Tandy’s first Test victory in charge and he’ll hope the likes of Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright can power his side to a much-needed triumph. As for the Brave Blossoms, fly-half Riku Kitahara is poised for his international debut.
Kick-off is at 16:40, with team news following now.