Match Pays de Galles 24 vs Japon 23 - 15/11/2025 - Quilter Nations Series

The match began at breakneck pace, but a scrappy, error-strewn opening 40 minutes left the sides locked together at 7–7 at the interval. For the hosts, it was a far cry from the controlled display they delivered in Kobe during the summer, when they halted their long losing run. Japan, who have never won on Welsh soil, showed none of the deference their record suggests and brought a level of ambition and tempo that repeatedly unsettled new head coach Steve Tandy's team.

Wales drew first blood first through Dan Edwards, the young fly-half finishing a sharp move after early carries from Aaron Wainwright and Dewi Lake had softened up the defence. Edwards added the conversion for a 7–0 lead, but the home side were unable to build on it. Handling errors, impatient decisions and misfires at the line-out repeatedly stalled their momentum, while Louis Rees-Zammit’s length-of-the-field break came to nothing when he failed to link with Tomos Williams in support.

Japan, meanwhile, grew steadily into the contest. Their kicking battle was clever, their ruck speed relentless, and their ambition in phase play had Wales scrambling. A slick passage of play down the right unlocked the home defence and wing Kippei Ishida finished confidently, with Seungsin Lee levelling the scores from the tee.

Discipline then became a real issue for both sides. Japan lost Epineri Uluiviti to the sin-bin for a late collision on flanker Alex Mann, and moments later No.8 Faulua Makisi followed for a bunker review after a high shot on Wales' number 10 Edwards. Yet even with 14 men, the visitors refused to abandon their high-tempo approach. Wales’ attempt to maul against the reduced pack fizzled out with a knock-on, and another promising position ended with Archie Griffin spilling the ball close to the line.

Wales also had disciplinary problems of their own. Experienced wing Josh Adams was sent to the sin-bin after a clumsy clear-out - upgraded in the bunker to a red card. Japan almost cashed in immediately, but fly-half Seungsin Lee pushed a straightforward penalty against the upright and the chance evaporated.

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By the break, Wales looked the more relieved of the two sides. Their attack lacked cohesion, and Japan – despite their yellow cards and a handful of loose moments – carried far more threat with ball in hand. With the score tied and plenty for Wales to fix in defence, the home side would require a far more composed second half to avoid a major upset - particularly with a man down.

Japan struck first after the restart, fly-half Lee landing a penalty to put the visitors ahead 7-10. Wales responded through wing Rees-Zammit, who finished acrobatically in the corner after a sharp pass from scrum-half Tomos Williams, with Edwards converting for a 14-10 lead.

Momentum swung again as Japan’s pack asserted themselves. Number eight Faulua Makisi powered over from close range on 59 minutes, Lee adding the extras for 14-20. Wales hit back almost immediately: centre Nick Tompkins, fresh off the bench to replace Adams, sliced through from a Williams pass to score under penalty advantage, Evans converting for 21-20.

The drama intensified. Wales conceded straight from the restart, allowing Lee to reclaim the lead at 21-23 with his fifth penalty. Then came the decisive moment: Japan lock Harry Hockings, on debut, was shown a yellow card for a gasp-inducing high tackle on flanker Alex Mann, leaving the visitors down to 14 men. Wales drove hard from the resulting lineout, earning another penalty five metres out. Replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans, calm under pressure, opted for the posts and split them nervelessly with the final kick of the match.

It was a breathless finish to a game that had everything: missed chances, relentless collisions, and a Welsh side that refused to fold. For Japan, it was heartbreak after a performance full of ambition and physicality. For Wales, relief, and perhaps a sense that their doggedness is becoming a trademark under their new boss.

⭐️ Quilter Player of the Match:

Olly Cracknell (WAL)

"Thank you for the patience of the fans. For me, my first cap [at Principality Stadium], walking out, the anthem - just absolutely incredible. So special. So thank you very much to all the fans backing us today.

"[Japan play] a really challenging, really hard game. They are so fit, so it's just constant and they play a really fast game."

(On Jarrod Evans' clutch kick to win the game] "It's testament to his mindset to come on there, stay calm and slot that. It's a hell of a skill.

"We're just trying to build. I think that's a great start. Last week [against Argentina] we put some bits in, but we wanted to to build. I think that's a great start. I feel like we've built again. It's slow progress, but it's solid."