Japan vs Wales Preview & Prediction | 2025 Mid-Year Internationals
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Having not recorded a victory since October 2023, Wales head to Japan hoping to finally bring their unwanted slump to an end.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website / US – Cannot be streamed
Japan team news
Squad: Takuro Matsunaga; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Malo Tuitama; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava
Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Keijiro Tamefusa, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shuntaro Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusu, Halatoa Vailea
Wales team news
Squad: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts
Japan vs Wales prediction
It’s been a miserable couple of years for Welsh rugby, with the national team currently on a record run of 17 consecutive defeats – a run that brought an end to Warren Gatland’s second stint in charge of the rugby-loving nation.
Interim coach Matt Sherratt will be eyeing this test – the first of Wales’ summer internationals – as the ideal opportunity to break that unwanted streak.
Japan hardly have much to shout about themselves as they have been unconvincing under former England and Australia coach Eddie Jones.
The gruelling conditions in Japan will play a crucial role here, but Wales are close to full strength given that only two of their number are currently with the British & Irish Lions. We’re backing them to get that crucial win.
Japan vs Wales tip: Wales to win
