Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Wales vs Japan preview: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, teams and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Autumn International fixture at the Principality Stadium

Harvey Burgess
Saturday 19 November 2016 13:56 GMT
Comments
Wales won their first game in six last week
Wales won their first game in six last week (Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Jamie Roberts: The Welsh centre comes back into the side as Rob Howley makes 10 changes to the team that beat Argentina on Saturday. After being dropped for consecutive matches to make way for Scott Williams, it is up to the 30-year-old Harlequins player to impress against Japan to see if he can win his place back.

Best stat…

Wales have only ever lost one match against Japan, coming in their most recent fixture in June 2013. In the nine matches that the two countries have played against each other, Wales have amassed an incredible 493 points and run in 71 tries.

Remember when…

The home side ran in 11 tries in a 2007 World Cup pool match in Cardiff to comprehensively outclass Japan. Wales scored 43 points in the second half as they ran out of sight of their visitors, however it was Japan who scored one of the tries of the tournament in this match in a breakaway move from their own try line.

Player to watch…

Gareth Anscombe: The 25-year-old fly-half replaces Dan Biggar for the contest against the side who famously beat South Africa at last year’s World Cup. Originally from New Zealand, Anscombe qualifies because of his mother, who was born in Cardiff. The Cardiff Blues 10 has been hampered by injuries in the past couple of years but has a good opportunity to show his worth on Saturday.

Past three meetings…

Japan 23 Wales 8, Wales Tour of Japan, June 2013

Japan 18 Wales 22, Wales Tour of Japan, June 2013

Wales 72 Japan 18, World Cup, September 2007

Form guide…

WALES: LLLLLW

JAPAN: LWWLLL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 2:30pm, Saturday 19 November

TV: Live on BBC One

Referee: Marius Van Der Westhuizen

Odds…

WALES TO WIN: 1/25

JAPAN TO WIN: 12/1

DRAW: 20/1

(Odds provided by SkyBet)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in