Eddie Jones, the former England head coach now leading Japan, has declared his intention to compound Wales' misery by extending their troubling 10-match winless streak at home. The two sides are set to clash at Cardiff's Principality Stadium this Saturday in a high-stakes autumn international.
Wales' Home Fortress Crumbles
Wales have not celebrated a victory at their iconic Principality Stadium home since a warm-up match against England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This represents a significant downturn for a venue that has historically been a formidable fortress for the Welsh team. The pressure is now squarely on new head coach Steve Tandy and his squad to break this dismal run.
The match carries immense importance beyond national pride. Wales must defeat Jones' Brave Blossoms to remain in the top 12 of World Rugby's official rankings. Securing a victory is crucial to ensuring a more favourable draw for the 2027 World Cup, making this a genuine must-win scenario for the home side.
Jones Sees Psychological Edge for Japan
Eddie Jones, in his second stint coaching Japan, is openly targeting the Welsh team's fragile confidence. He remarked on the psychological burden the losing streak creates, stating, 'The pressure of not winning for two years at home will be felt by Wales. Sometimes that can be an advantage and sometimes a burden. It's our job to make sure it's a burden.'
This encounter comes after a mixed summer Test series, which saw the teams share the spoils with one win apiece. Wales finally ended a horror run of 18 consecutive international defeats by beating Japan during that series. However, Tandy's first game in permanent charge was a disaster, with his team conceding seven tries and 52 points in a heavy loss to Argentina.
Team News and Key Absences
Wales have been dealt a severe blow with the loss of influential captain Jac Morgan, who dislocated his shoulder against Argentina and will miss the entire autumn campaign. Hooker Dewi Lake takes over the captaincy for the pivotal match against Japan.
A major boost for Wales, however, is the return of electric wing Louis Rees-Zammit to the starting XV. This will be his first start for Wales since 2023, following his two-year pursuit of an NFL career in the United States. Much of Wales' hope for a creative spark and try-scoring threat now rests on his shoulders.
The match kicks off at 5.40pm on Saturday at the Principality Stadium and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. Despite the absence of Morgan, the expectation remains that Wales, with home advantage and Rees-Zammit back in the fold, should have enough to secure a desperately needed victory.
