Japan aim to end Principality Stadium jinx against Wales on Saturday, 7 November

A chance to make history in Cardiff

Eddie Jones says he wants his Japan side to create history on Saturday, 7 November, by becoming the first Japan team to beat Wales at the Principality Stadium. Kick-off is at 16:40 GMT in the opening match of Wales' autumn section of the Nations Championship. The two teams meet for the fourth time in 16 months, after a 24-23 Wales win in November 2025 settled by a last-gasp penalty from Jarrod Evans. Japan have won home matches against Wales in 2013 and 2025, but have never won at this ground. Wales are 10th in the world rankings, two places above Japan, and both teams have beaten Fiji and Italy in 2026.

Jones put the venue at the centre of his message to the players.

“Japan's never beaten Wales at the Millennium [Principality] Stadium and it's one of the most iconic rugby stadiums in the world.”

Nine England-based starters

Steve Tandy has named nine players from English clubs in his starting XV, six of them among the eight forwards. The Independent describes it as a record number of players based outside Wales in a Wales starting line-up. Across the 23-man squad, twelve players are based in England, and BBC Sport reports this is understood to be a record number outside Wales. Max Llewellyn of Gloucester is named at 12 alongside Eddie James of the Scarlets at 13, a pairing that drops the recognised ball-playing inside centre. Llewellyn is 6ft 6in (1.96m) and James 6ft 4in (1.90m), and Llewellyn has started only once at inside centre for Wales, against England in a World Cup warm-up in August 2023.

Tandy defended the selection policy in direct terms.

“Ultimately it doesn't matter where they play, it'll be the best players selected.”

Sam Costelow starts at fly-half ahead of Dan Edwards, with Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit on the wings and Blair Murray at full-back. Dewi Lake captains the side, with Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin at prop. Tandy has made seven personnel changes from the side beaten 43-0 by South Africa in July.

Japan's preparation and Welsh links

Japan's backroom staff includes Kingsley Jones, a former Wales flanker and Dragons coach, who was part of the Japan staff for the 1-1 series draw with Wales in July 2025. Eddie Jones says his namesake has been in camp for four days, watching training and feeding back on how the team can improve. Jones expects Wales to target Japan at the set-piece and potentially in the air, and he credited Tandy with building a strong Wales identity. Jones also said Wales are going through a tough period, which he believes countries go through.

Wales' club calendar and expected crowd

Wales' England-based players left their Vale of Glamorgan base in late October to prepare for Gallagher Prem fixtures and returned after the weekend to prepare for Japan. Tandy said there are logistical challenges when players return to their clubs before an international, but argued they bring back new experiences and motivation. Tandy has beaten Italy, Fiji and Japan in his 12-month reign, and the November programme also includes New Zealand and Australia, plus Nations Championship finals weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Thousands of seats are expected to be empty in Cardiff on Saturday, 7 November, but Jones expects the ground to remain a Welsh cauldron.

“Whatever crowd will be there, it will be a great atmosphere for the game.”