This Saturday, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff hosts a monumental rugby union encounter as Wales welcomes Japan for a Quilter Nations Series match with far-reaching consequences. The outcome is poised to significantly influence the upcoming draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, adding a layer of high-stakes drama to the autumn international.
What's at Stake in Cardiff?
The upcoming World Cup draw, scheduled after the November tests, will separate qualified nations into bands. Wales currently occupies 12th place in the global rankings, which would place them in Band Two. However, Japan is hot on their heels, and a victory for the visitors would see them leapfrog Wales in the rankings.
This shift could see Steve Tandy's Welsh side handed a considerably more challenging pool for the 2027 tournament. Beyond the long-term implications, Wales will be eager to build upon the positive aspects of their performance against Argentina, despite the defeat. This fixture also marks a return to the scene of their July triumph, where they snapped an 18-match losing streak with a win against this same Japanese team.
How to Watch Wales vs Japan
The crucial Quilter Nations Series clash is set to begin at 5.40pm GMT on Saturday 15 November. The iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff provides the backdrop for this thrilling contest.
For viewers across the United Kingdom, live coverage will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1, with their programming commencing at 5.30pm GMT. Alternatively, fans can stream the match live via the discovery+ platform.
Team News and Line-Ups
Wales sees a significant change in leadership, with hooker Dewi Lake taking on the captaincy in the absence of the injured Jac Morgan. Flanker Morgan's November series is over after he dislocated his shoulder. Olly Cracknell enters the starting back row, causing a reshuffle that sees Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann adjust their positions to accommodate the new No 8.
In the backs, Louis Rees-Zammit earns a promotion from the bench, forming part of an otherwise unchanged line. The front row also sees a swap, with Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin replacing Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti.
For Japan, coach Eddie Jones has made two adjustments to his pack from their previous outing. Jack Cornelsen comes in for Ben Gunter, who has left the squad for personal reasons. Meanwhile, Keijiro Tamefusa is preferred over Shohei Takeuchi at tighthead prop, bringing his scrummaging expertise to the starting XV.
Notably, former captain Michael Leitch is absent from the bench. The replacements include two potential debutants: sevens Olympian Kazuma Ueda on the wing and the Australian-born, giant lock Harry Hockings, who will add considerable size to the forward pack.
Wales Starting XV:
- 1. Nicky Smith
- 2. Dewi Lake (capt.)
- 3. Archie Griffin
- 4. Dafydd Jenkins
- 5. Adam Beard
- 6. Aaron Wainwright
- 7. Alex Mann
- 8. Olly Cracknell
- 9. Tomos Williams
- 10. Dan Edwards
- 11. Josh Adams
- 12. Ben Thomas
- 13. Max Llewellyn
- 14. Louis Rees-Zammit
- 15. Blair Murray
Wales Replacements: 16. Liam Belcher, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Keiron Assiratti, 19. Freddie Thomas, 20. Taine Plumtree, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Jarrod Evans, 23. Nick Tompkins.
Japan Starting XV:
- 1. Kenta Kobayashi
- 2. Kenji Sato
- 3. Keijiro Tamefusa
- 4. Epineri Uluiviti
- 5. Warner Dearns (capt.)
- 6. Jack Cornelsen
- 7. Kanji Shimokawa
- 8. Faulua Makisi
- 9. Naoto Saito
- 10. Lee Seungsin
- 11. Tomoki Osada
- 12. Charlie Lawrence
- 13. Dylan Riley
- 14. Kippei Ishida
- 15. Yoshitaka Yazaki
Japan Replacements: 16. Shodai Hirao, 17. Sho Furuhata, 18. Shohei Takeuchi, 19. Harry Hockings, 20. Tyler Paul, 21. Kenta Fukuda, 22. Shinya Komura, 23. Kazuma Ueda.
