Japan and Wales are set to clash in the first of a two-Test rugby series at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu on Saturday, July 5, 2025. This highly anticipated match sees Japan, led by head coach Eddie Jones, aiming to build on their historic 23-8 win over Wales in 2013 and start the series strong against a Six Nations opponent. Jones has included eight uncapped players and another eight with ten caps or fewer in the squad, captained by Michael Leitch, with Dylan Riley as one of the most experienced backs. Debutants Yota Kamimori and Kippei Ishida are expected to start, despite Ishida sitting out the last training session as a precaution[1].
For Wales, interim head coach Matt Sherratt is looking to end a nightmarish run of 17 consecutive test losses, with key players Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams unavailable due to Lions commitments. The match also marks the beginning of a summer tour as Wales looks to recover from a record 68-14 defeat to England earlier in the year. The Welsh lineup features Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy, and is captained by Dewi Lake[4]. Soaring temperatures and humidity are expected to play a role in the contest[4].
The Japan vs. Wales match will kick off at 6:00 am BST (2:00 pm local time in Japan) and can be watched live on BBC One Wales beginning at 5:45 am. Free streaming is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK, while viewers outside the UK can follow the action on RugbyPass TV[2][3]. The two teams will meet again on July 12 and also face off in the 2025 Autumn Nations later this year[2].