How to watch Wales v Japan on TV – channel and UK kick-off time

Matt Sherratt’s Wales face the Brave Blossoms in their second and final Test of the summer tourWales are desperate to stop the losing run. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

Wales are hoping to stop their 18-Test losing streak when they face Japan this weekend. Despite being in control against the Brave Blossoms at half-time in the first Test, Wales let a 12-point lead slip and lost 24-19 in Kitakyushu.

Wales have now not won a Test game since the 2023 World Cup, where they beat Georgia in the pool stages. Saturday’s match will be the final opportunity to break this losing run until the autumn internationals in Cardiff at the end of the year.

Interim boss Matt Sherratt has made a couple of big changes for this match, with Taulupe Faletau missing out completely due to “heat-related cramps”. Aaron Wainwright replaces him at number eight, with Taine Plumtree coming onto the bench.

Freddie Thomas replaces an injured Ben Carter and Keiron Assiratti drops out for Bath star Archie Griffin. There’s one change in the back line, with Dan Edwards replacing Sam Costelow.

Sherratt has selected Edwards to start for the first time as Wales head coach. Speaking about the decision to select him, Sherrat said: “Dan’s trained brilliantly over the three weeks. He was great in the Six Nations so we want to have a look at him.”

Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles and Chris Coleman could earn their first caps off the bench.

Here’s everything you need to know about the match.

What time is Japan v Wales kick-off?

Japan v Wales kicks off at 6.50am UK time on Saturday, July 12, at Noevir Stadium in Kobe.

Viewing details

Japan v Wales is being shown live on S4C.

You can therefore live stream the game on S4C Clic or BBC iPlayer on your mobile device or laptop.

Team news

Japan: Ichigo Nakakusu: Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea, Seungsin Lee, Naoto Saito; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri UluiViti, Warner Dearns, Michael Leitch, Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi.

Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazuma Ueda.

Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (c), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles.

Match officialsReferee: Luke Pearce (RFU)Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)Assistant Referee 2 Damian Schneider (UAR)TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)