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The Japanese Brave Blossoms have lost four in a row and have faltered against better opposition as Eddie Jones continues to look for a win against the top-ranked sides in World Rugby.
Wales are currently not one of those teams, and both sides are desperately seeking a victory to boost confidence and secure a 12 top-ranking before the RWC 2027 draw takes place.
When the two sides met in Japan earlier this year, it ended as a 1-1 draw, but Wales’s win in the second match ended their record losing streak. Heading into this key matchup in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium, both sides are coming off losses, and both have lost key personnel.
Wales is ranked 12th in the world, and Japan is ranked 13th. There are only 0.32 World Rugby ranking points separating the two sides, and those above and below them in the rankings are also in action. RWC 2027 bandings are on a knife-edge.
The Welsh are without Jac Morgan after the Welsh captain was ruled out with his shoulder injury sustained in the loss to Argentina last week. Dewi Lake will captain the team against the Brave Blossoms.
Wales assistant coach Matt Sherratt backed the call-up of uncapped Ospreys Harri Deaves into the camp, saying he had "knocked the door down" so far this season, which surprised loyal fans who were expecting Tommy Reffell to be announced as a replacement.
In the end, he was not selected for the Test, but included in the matchday squad, Olly Cracknell gets his first international start at No. 8, and Alex Mann starts at openside flank. There is a return for that man, Louis Rees-Zammit, in the starting XV.
Head Coach Steve Tandy said, “I think we’ve definitely seen lots of how we want to play against Argentina. There was lots to be pleased about – our attack I thought was excellent and I saw a lot of physicality – but there’s lots to improve. So that’s what we’ve been focusing on. We’re looking to build on the first performance this weekend.”
Japan will sorely miss the absence of both Ben Gunter, who proposed to his pregnant partner this week in Japan, and talisman Michael Leitch. It's the vital power and nuance that will be absent for the Brave Blossoms, and it puts them on the back foot.
You never know what squad Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones will select, although he has been consistent over recent Tests, and he has, for the most part, selected a similar starting XV to take on Wales.
Keijiro Tamefusa does come into the front row, and the loose forwards see a change due to the absences of Leitch and Gunter. Jack Cornelsen replaces Gunter. The backline remains unchanged.
However, on the bench, they are light in international experience. Loosehead prop Sho Furuhata (Saitama Wild Knights), lock Harry Hockings (Tokyo Sungoliath), and winger Kazuma Ueda (Kobe Steelers) are all uncapped and included.
The bench combined has 34 caps, and 22 of those belong to Shuhei Takeuchi! If the match is tight, which we expect it to be, there will be huge pressure on the reserves to make an impact.
Match Referee Matthew Carley takes charge of the Test.
