Jones aims to add to Wales’ home woes

Japan head coach Eddie Jones hopes Wales’ two-year winless run at home will be a “burden” for Steve Tandy’s side on Saturday.

Wales have suffered a record run of 10 straight defeats at the Principality Stadium, with their most recent victory in Cardiff coming against England in a World Cup warm-up match in August 2023.

Tandy’s side fell to a record 52-28 defeat by Argentina at the Principality last weekend, so Japan present Wales with the most realistic chance of a home win in November – with New Zealand and South Africa still to visit this month.

Jones and Japan are hoping to spoil any Welsh hope of conquering their home issues.

“The pressure of not winning for two years at home will be felt by [Wales],” said 65-year-old Jones.

Jones has plenty of experience of visiting the Principality Stadium as an opposing head coach although his record in Cardiff is mixed, with two wins in six Tests during his previous stints with England and Australia.

“It is one of the great stadiums in the world,” said Jones.

“How close the stadium is to the city is one of the ground’s attractions.

“Spectators have a good time during the afternoon, wander into the stadium and are full of life and vigour.”

The Principality Stadium roof will again be closed for the game.

“It is an electric atmosphere,” said Jones.

“We have not had the debate about whether the roof is open or closed which was the ongoing issue in England and Wales weeks. We know it is closed and that intensifies the atmosphere.

“For our young team, we’re looking forward to playing there, experiencing that environment, and at times, hostility of the crowd.

“They are the games you want to play in, to learn how to cope and win in those situations.”

Japan defeated Wales in stifling conditions in July in Kitakyushu aided by a mid-afternoon kick-off but Jones also expects their hosts to utilise local advantage.

“That is why you play home and away Tests, mate,” said Jones.

“At home you play to your conditions and when you are away, you have to adapt.

Japan have only beaten Wales twice, with Jones at the helm for both of the Brave Blossoms’ wins at home in 2013 and 2025.

However, Japan have never won in Wales, losing each of their previous five visits by an average margin of 51 points.

Their only previous victory against a tier-one nation in the professional era outside of Japan was the shock 2015 World Cup pool win over South Africa in Brighton, again masterminded by Jones.

Backing this up more than a decade later by beating Wales this weekend would represent a major step forward for the current Japan team.

Following a disastrous stint with Australia, Jones returned to lead Japan after the 2023 World Cup and has slowly seen an improvement in a youthful side.

“We had a very young team last year,” said Jones.

“This is our second year and you can see more consistency. We’re starting to get a good base of players and the team is developing its own chemistry and cohesion.

“We are on the right trajectory, and when you feel like that, you need another boost, which is a win against a big team.

This game will be an unofficial 2025 decider after the 1-1 draw in the summer series between the two nations. Wales are ranked 12th in the world and Japan one place below them.

Wales have lost 19 of their past 20 Tests, with the only exception being a 31-22 victory against Japan in July in Kobe in the second international.

That ended a record streak of 18 consecutive international defeats and levelled the summer series after the hosts won 24-19 in the opening game.

Wales have since appointed new head coach Steve Tandy, with Jones expecting some subtle differences.

“It is our third game against them this year so we know each other pretty well,” said Jones.

“The attack philosophy looks the same because the coach [Matt Sherratt] has not changed, so they have some consistency.

“Steve is known for the way his team defends. He likes a connected defence, likes to choke in the tackle, so that will be different from the summer.”

Japan have suffered defeats by Australia, South Africa and Ireland during their autumn matches before travelling to Wales. They finish their year by facing Georgia in Tbilisi on 22 November.

“Wales is our fourth game of this tour and I feel as if each week we are getting better,” said Jones.

Wales 16-52 South Africa,19 August 2023

Wales 26-27 Scotland, 3 February 2024

Wales 24-45 France, 10 March 2024

Wales 21-24 Italy, 16 March 2024

Wales 19-24 Fiji, 10 November 2024

Wales 20-52 Australia, 17 November 2024

Wales 12-45 South Africa, 23 November 2024

Wales 18-27 Ireland, 22 February 2025

Wales 14-68 England, 15 March 2025