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The Steve Tandy era is underway and already Wales are hoping to snap a losing streak, after falling to a record 52-28 defeat by Argentina at Principality Stadium. Wales now face Japan in Week 2, in what is a vitally important fixture with World Cup seedings at stake. Wales sit 12th in the world rankings as things stand, just 22 points ahead of Japan in 13th, after winning only one of their last 20 matches. Teams 7-12 in the world rankings will be in the second band of teams for the World Cup draw, which will take place on Dec. 3. Should Wales draw to Japan, the Cherry Blossoms would overtake Tandy's men, which would put Wales into the third band and mean they would be drawn against two of the top 12 teams in the world in the group stage. So, to put it mildly, this is the most important rendition of Wales vs. Japan there has ever been. Here's everything you need to know. - Overreactions: England to beat All Blacks? Wales set for miserable autumn?
- Wales vs. Argentina: Steve Tandy era begins with record defeat
- Autumn internationals: Wales' Jac Morgan ruled out with dislocated shoulder When is Wales vs. Japan?The match will kick off at 5.40 p.m. GMT on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
Where will the match be broadcast?Wales vs. Japan will be televised on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK. The match will also be available on BBC Radio Wales Extra.
When was the last time Wales and Japan met?The two sides are familiar with each other, having played in a two-Test series in the summer. Japan won the first Test 24-19 in Fukuoka, but Wales bounced back to end their 18-match losing streak, which dated back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with a 31-22 win in Kobe.
Team news:Wales: Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, Olly Cracknell. Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins. Japan: Kenta Kobayashi, Kenji Sato, Keijiro Tamefusa (c), Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Dearns, Jack Cornelsen, Kanji Shimokawa, Faulua Makisi, Naoto Saito, Seungsin Lee, Charlie Lawrence, Dylan Riley, Tomoki Osada, Yoshitaka Yazaki, Kippei Ishida. Replacements: Shodai Hirao, Sho Furuhata, Shuhei Takeuchi, Harry Hockings, Tyler Paul, Kenta Fukuda, Shinya Komura, Kazuma Ueda. ............................... Louis Rees-Zammit will make his first Wales start since returning to rugby from American football. The wing, who joined Bristol this season after stints with Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, has been named in Steve Tandy's side for the second match of the Quilter Nations Series at Principality Stadium. The 24-year-old made his first Wales appearance since the 2023 World Cup off the bench in last Sunday's defeat to Argentina. Injury to captain Jac Morgan has forced changes in the pack with Alex Mann moving to openside flanker and Alan Wainwright starting at blindside. Leicester's Olly Cracknell comes into the side at number eight after making his debut as a replacement last weekend. Tandy has rotated his props with Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin coming in for Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti, who are among the replacements. Hooker Dewi Lake takes over as captain from Morgan, who will miss the rest of the autumn programme with a dislocated shoulder.
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