a day ago
Japan v Wales: Score and latest updates from first Test in Kitakyushu
'It is good to come back and take more in than maybe I did in 2019. We had a big welcome when we arrived and a few of the boys were quite taken aback because it was probably something they had not experienced before.
'I was trying to explain what it was like in 2019 and how big that World Cup was here. We went for a team walk and we had some of the guys coming up to a few of the boys and asking for photos and autographs. It shows how much support we have here and a lot of that comes from the World Cup.'
Wales had just two players named on the British and Irish Lions tour; Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, although the latter has been ruled out of the tour due to a hamstring injury. Dewi Lakes captains the side on this tour.
Japan have not played since last year when they lost 59-14 against England at Allianz Stadium. A Japan XV lost 20-53 to Maori All Blacks in Tokyo a week ago. Veteran Michael Leitch will captain Eddie Jones' side; he has 87 caps to his name and is the only player in the Japan squad to have more than 50 caps.
These sides last met back in November 2016, when Wales won 33-30 in Cardiff. Wales have lost just once to Japan, whose sole victory came in 2013 during Eddie Jones' first tenure in charge of Japan as they won 23-8 in Tokyo. Today is the first of two Tests between the sides, with the second match coming in Kobe in a week's time. Kick-off from Kitakyushu is at 6am BST.
