Overview
- Kick-off is 5.40pm GMT at the Principality Stadium, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and streaming on discovery+ in the UK.
- The result could switch the teams’ positions in the rankings and affect their placement in World Rugby’s Dec. 3 draw bands.
- Hooker Dewi Lake captains Wales as Jac Morgan sits out after a dislocated shoulder, with Olly Cracknell starting at No 8 and Louis Rees-Zammit handed a first start since his return to union.
- Warner Dearns leads Japan, with Jack Cornelsen starting at blindside and Keijiro Tamefusa promoted at tighthead as Michael Leitch and Ben Gunter remain unavailable.
- This is their third meeting of 2025 after a 1-1 summer split, and Japan conclude their European tour next weekend against Georgia in Tbilisi.