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Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
Wales end the humiliation with first win in 18 games and 644 days
Please read this very carefully if you will: Wales have won a rugby match. This is not a drill. This, finally, puts an end to an excruciating 644-day wait since October 2023, with 18 consecutive defeats building remorselessly and devastatingly over that time. But it is over. Of course, it was not without its drama and nervousness as both teams battled the challenging conditions under the roof in the Noveir Stadium in Kobe, with handling errors to the fore and quality at a premium. And Wales, as they had done last weekend, nearly blew a hefty lead simply through a combination of fatigue and lack of confidence, but they prevailed because of a stunning performance from openside flanker Josh Macleod, more than justifying his inclusion ahead of Tommy Reffell, as well as significant contributions from the likes of No 8 Aaron Wainwright, wing Josh Adams and full back Blair Murray. Japan were as mediocre as they had been in the first Test as were Wales, who cannot exactly claim to have been ravaged by British & Irish Lions call-ups, and the delight at the final whistle showed how far this rugby nation has fallen, but at least it is a start. Appointing a permanent head coach may be a wise next step now. It was against the run of play after an Alex Mann turnover that Wales had scored first after just eight minutes through Adams, who benefited from smart play by centre Ben Thomas and typically lively support running from Murray. Japan so nearly scored from captain Michael Leitch after a fine break from full back Ichigo Nakakusu but Macleod made his first eye-catching intervention, a superb try-saving tackle, and immediately at the other end Adams should have scored a second after Wainwright's kick through but spilt the ball. It would not have counted, though, as Macleod, harshly in my view, was deemed to have made an illegal tackle in the build-up. From the resulting penalty Seungsin Lee kicked Japan's first points of the day, but Wales responded strongly, going to the corner three times, with scrum half Kieran Hardy going over from the third driving maul after a powerful carry from Dewi Lake. Dan Edwards converted to make it 14-3 and, what's more, Japan No 8 Faulua Makisi was sin-binned too. Wales made that count with a third try and a second for Hardy, who supported Adams on the inside after the wing had made an arcing break off his left foot, having been put clear by Murray. Edwards converted and it was 21-3, with the Japan scrummage conceding so many penalties that head coach Eddie Jones responded as only he can: by hauling off his entire front row before the break. In fairness it brought immediate dividends as replacement tighthead prop Shuhei Takeuchi won a scrum penalty, and Japan kicked to the corner, from where Edwards was targeted again in defence as he had been so often previously, and, when Takeuchi was tackled by Mann, he placed the ball on the ground, got up and went over. It was sloppy from Wales, but, with Lee converting, it was 21-10 at half-time. Ospreys wing Keelan Giles came on for his belated Test debut in place of Adams, nine years after first being in a senior squad, but it was Japan who started the second half much brighter, playing the game at a pace that was stretching Wales, just as it had in the first Test. But Wales were a little more on their mettle this time and, when Macleod won a turnover penalty, Edwards stepped up to land a difficult penalty to make it 24-10. Japan were making an awful lot of handling errors but they eventually found some accuracy after a Hardy kick had been charged down, going through the phases before lock Warner Deans, who had made that charge down, scored. Lee missed the conversion, but was it going to happen again? Were Wales going to crumble again? Well, immediately Hardy made a poor pass to his half-back partner Edwards, who dropped it, and Japan centre Dylan Riley pounced and ran away unhindered to score. Lee made sure with the easy conversion this time. It was 24-22. It was squeaky bum time for Wales. With ten minutes remaining a penalty call could have gone either way, but it went in favour of the brilliant Macleod to give Wales some respite. Reuben Morgan-Williams, another Osprey making a long-awaited debut, initially arrived on the wing but, moving to his usual scrum-half position, he added some much-needed impetus, and when replacement back-rower Taine Plumtree threw an outrageous back-handed pass in midfield that allowed Edwards to slip over for Wales' fourth try. He converted it too and it was 31-22. It was done. Captain Lake, by now on the bench, put his head in his hands in relief, and when Morgan-Williams booted the ball out to end the pain, head coach Matt Sherratt looked as if he was about to burst into tears. Scorers: Wales: Tries Adams (8min), Hardy (28, 36), Edwards 74). Cons Edwards (4). Pen Edwards (48). Japan: Tries Takeuchi (40), Deans (59), Riley (61). Cons Lee (2). Pen Lee (23). Wales B Murray; T Rogers, J Williams (R Morgan-Williams 64) , B Thomas, J Adams (K Giles 40); D Edwards, K Hardy; N Smith (G Thomas 43), D Lake (L Belcher 60), A Griffin (C Coleman 60), F Thomas (J Ratti 66), T Williams, A Mann (T Plumtree 48), J Macleod (T Reffell 75), A Wainwright.
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
How to watch Wales v Japan on TV - channel and UK kick-off time
How to watch Wales v Japan on TV - channel and UK kick-off time Matt Sherratt's Wales face the Brave Blossoms in their second and final Test of the summer tour Wales are desperate to stop the losing run. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Wales are hoping to stop their 18-Test losing streak when they face Japan this weekend. Despite being in control against the Brave Blossoms at half-time in the first Test, Wales let a 12-point lead slip and lost 24-19 in Kitakyushu. Wales have now not won a Test game since the 2023 World Cup, where they beat Georgia in the pool stages. Saturday's match will be the final opportunity to break this losing run until the autumn internationals in Cardiff at the end of the year. Interim boss Matt Sherratt has made a couple of big changes for this match, with Taulupe Faletau missing out completely due to "heat-related cramps". Aaron Wainwright replaces him at number eight, with Taine Plumtree coming onto the bench. Freddie Thomas replaces an injured Ben Carter and Keiron Assiratti drops out for Bath star Archie Griffin. There's one change in the back line, with Dan Edwards replacing Sam Costelow. Sherratt has selected Edwards to start for the first time as Wales head coach. Speaking about the decision to select him, Sherrat said: "Dan's trained brilliantly over the three weeks. He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him." Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles and Chris Coleman could earn their first caps off the bench. Article continues below Here's everything you need to know about the match. What time is Japan v Wales kick-off? Japan v Wales kicks off at 6.50am UK time on Saturday, July 12, at Noevir Stadium in Kobe. Viewing details Japan v Wales is being shown live on S4C. You can therefore live stream the game on S4C Clic or BBC iPlayer on your mobile device or laptop. Team news Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu: Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea, Seungsin Lee, Naoto Saito; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri UluiViti, Warner Dearns, Michael Leitch, Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi. Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazuma Ueda. Article continues below Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (c), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles. Match officials
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons prop Chris Coleman set for Wales debut against Japan
The 26-year-old from Garndiffaith has been named on the bench for the attempt to end an 18-Test losing streak. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt has made four changes to the XV that threw away a commanding position to lose 24-19 last week. Dragons talisman Aaron Wainwright comes in at number eight to replace Taulupe Faletau, who suffered cramping in the heat and humidity of Kitakyushu. Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards will make his first international start, Archie Griffin gets the nod at tighthead and Gloucester's Freddie Thomas replaces Dragons captain Ben Carter, who suffered a concussion in the first minute last week. There could be three debuts from the bench with Coleman joined by wing Keelan Giles and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams. Sherratt said: 'I want to have a little bit of a freshen up. So, Dan Edwards comes in at ten. Dan's trained brilliantly over the three weeks. He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him. 'Unfortunately, Ben Carter has gone home so Freddie Thomas comes in. Keiron Assiratti has not been able to train as much as we'd like this week. 'So, it was more sensible to start Archie [Griffin] and that gives Chris Coleman a chance to make his debut off the bench. 'Toby had a little bit heat stress related cramping [following the game]. We decided it was best Aaron Wainwright starts at No 8. 'We've made a couple of other changes on the bench as well, so delighted for Keelan and Reuben. They thoroughly deserve a chance.' Coleman's selection is reward for a strong campaign despite the Dragons' struggles with the prop playing in 19 of 22 games, 15 of those appearances as a starter. He will get a chance to become an international but there is frustration for his Rodney Parade teammates Elliot Dee and Rhodri Williams. Hooker Dee misses out on the 23 again, with Liam Belcher preferred as captain Dewi Lake's back-up, while scrum-half Williams drops out of the matchday squad. He was bizarrely left on the bench in the first Test despite the energy-sapping conditions and Kieran Hardy, who has retained his starting spot, failing to fire. Wales cannot afford to make the same mistakes against a Japan side who were not at their best as they rebuild under Eddie Jones. Sherratt added: 'I think our biggest challenge this week is going to be repeating some of the good and then in that last 20 minutes it's making our lineout launch more effective so we can get our game on the field. Perhaps being a little bit braver with the ball as well. 'I think atmospherically it's going to be a great experience for the players and obviously there's no getting away from the heat. 'The roof's closed. From experience of the roof being closed in Principality Stadium, the ball can be a little bit greasy. 'It's going to be hot, maybe a little bit wet, but there'll be there'll be some atmosphere because the fans over here love their rugby.' Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles.
France 24
10-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Fly-half Edwards to make first start for Wales against Japan
Ospreys' Edwards replaces Sam Costelow at number 10 for his third cap as Wales look to avenge their 24-19 defeat to Japan last week in Kitakyushu. It was Wales's 18th straight loss, extending a record for a Tier One country in the professional era. Sherratt made four changes to his starting line-up, with Freddie Thomas coming in at lock after Ben Carter was ruled out following a head injury in the first minute of last week's game. Aaron Wainwright replaces Taulupe Faletau at No.8 in a side again captained by hooker Dewi Lake. Archie Griffin takes over at tighthead prop from Keiron Assiratti. Uncapped trio Christian Coleman, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles were all named on the bench. Wales (15-1): Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Aaron Wainwright, Josh Macleod, Alex Mann; Teddy Williams, Freddie Thomas; Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Nicky Smith. Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Christian Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Faletau out as Edwards given first Wales start
Number eight Taulupe Faletau (left) has played 109 internationals while fly-half Dan Edwards has two caps [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Advertisement Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the second Test against Japan in Kobe as fly-half Dan Edwards is given his first international start. Faletau, 34, came off during the second half of the 24-19 defeat in Kitakyushu after suffering "heat-related cramps" in the intense conditions and has not recovered. He will be replaced by Aaron Wainwright as one of four changes made by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who said he wanted to "freshen things up a bit". Edwards comes in for Sam Costelow, while prop Archie Griffin starts with Keiron Assiratti dropping out of the squad. Advertisement Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas replaces Ben Carter who has been ruled out because of concussion. Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles, and Dragons prop Chris Coleman, could make their international debuts from the replacements bench. Missing Faletau Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been on three British and Irish Lions tours [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Faletau's absence is a major blow as he is Wales' most experienced player and was the tourists' most impressive performer in the first game against Japan. He left the field after 56 minutes in Kitakyushu in noticeable discomfort with the intense heat and humidity troubling the visitors, although Sherratt confirmed after the match Faletau's withdrawal had been tactical. Advertisement Wales had said they would allow Faletau time to recover before deciding on their line-up, after the Cardiff number eight did not train with the Wales squad on Tuesday. "Toby [Taulupe] had a little bit of heat stress-related cramping [following the game]," said Sherratt. "We decided it was best Aaron Wainwright starts at No 8." Scarlets back row Taine Plumtree comes onto the bench alongside Ospreys forward James Ratti, who played 79 minutes in Kitakyushu after coming on for Carter. Lock Thomas will make his second Wales start when he packs down alongside Teddy Williams. Assiratti has not been able to train much this week so his exit from the squad allows Bath tight-head Griffin to move up from the bench, while Coleman will get his first taste of international rugby if he comes on the field. Advertisement Cardiff captain Liam Belcher retains his spot in the squad after the hooker won his first cap in Kitakyushu when he replaced captain Dewi Lake. Dan is the man Dan Edwards is a former Wales Under-20s fly-half [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Ospreys fly-half Edwards made two replacement appearances against France and Italy under former head coach Warren Gatland during the 2025 Six Nations with Cardiff centre Ben Thomas starting at 10 in Paris and Rome. Wales interim boss Sherratt has used fly-halves Costelow, Gareth Anscombe and Jarrod Evans during his four games in charge but now selects Edwards for the first time. "Dan's trained brilliantly over the three weeks," said Sherratt, Advertisement "He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him." Edwards, 22, will have a familiar face when he links up with his club half-back partner Kieran Hardy, while another Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams will hope to claim his first cap from the bench. Morgan-Williams' inclusion means Rhodri Williams drops out of the squad, after the Dragons scrum-half was an unused replacement last weekend with Hardy playing the full 80 minutes. The rest of the starting backline remains the same with wing Giles drafted in for Scarlets centre Joe Roberts on the bench, as one of only two back replacements. Advertisement Giles, 27, could end a nine-year wait for an elusive first cap which started when he was selected as a 18-year-old for the tour to New Zealand in 2016. He was an unused replacement in the narrow victory against Japan in November 2016 and was also not capped after being included for the trip to play Samoa and Tonga the following summer. Following significant knee issues and a hamstring problem, Giles was picked for the summer tour of Australia in 2024 but had to pull out because of injury. The touring Wales players who have not been involved in a match-day squad are uncapped duo Macs Page and Garyn Phillips, Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett and Dragons hooker Elliot Dee. Advertisement Trying to halt the losing streak Wales will finish a dismal season looking to avoid becoming the first tier one rugby nation in history to suffer 19 successive international defeats. They have not won a Test match in 21 months since defeating Georgia in Nantes during the World Cup in October 2023. Wales' first match defeat to Japan means they dropped to an all-time world ranking low of 14th. Eddie Jones' Japan side are bidding to wrap up a first series victory against Wales and make history by winning consecutive matches against tier one opposition for the first time. Jones has made five changes to the starting side including the selection of Toulouse scrum-half Naito Saito who was unavailable for the first game having just been part of the Top14 winning side. Advertisement Kubota prop Keijiro Tamefusa, number eight Faulua Makisi, wing Halatoa Vailea and full-back Ichigo Nakakusu are also named, while Australian-born back Sam Greene could make his debut from the bench. How they line up Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea; Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi. Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Ueda. Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright. Advertisement Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles. Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR) Television Match Official (TMO): Glenn Newman (NZR).
