Jones aims to add to Wales' home woes

Eddie Jones has previously won in Cardiff with both Australia and England

Japan head coach Eddie Jones hopes Wales' two-year winless run at home will be a "burden" on Saturday.

Wales have suffered a record run of 10 straight defeats in Cardiff since beating England in a World Cup warm-up match in August 2023.

Steve Tandy lost his first game in charge in a record 52-28 defeat by Argentina at the Principality Stadium last weekend and with New Zealand and South Africa also heading Cardiff, Japan now appears the most realistic chance of a win this month.

But Jones aims to spoil any Welsh hope of conquering their home issues.

"The pressure of not winning for two years at home will be felt by [Wales]," said the 65-year-old.

"Sometimes that can be an advantage and sometimes a burden. It's our job to make sure it's a burden."

Jones has plenty of experience of visiting the Principality Stadium as an opposing head coach with Australia and England though has a mixed record of just two wins in six Tests.

"It is one of the great stadiums in the world," said Jones.

"How close the stadium is to the city is one of the ground's attractions.

"Spectators have a good time during the afternoon, wander into the stadium and are full of life and vigour."

The Principality Stadium roof will again be closed for the game.

"It is an electric atmosphere," said Jones.

"We have not had the debate about whether the roof is open or closed. We know it's closed and that intensifies the atmosphere.

"For our young team, we're looking forward to playing there, experiencing that environment and, at times, hostility of the crowd.

"They are the games you want to play in, to learn how to cope and win in those situations."

Japan defeated Wales in stifling conditions in July in Kitakyushu aided by a mid-afternoon kick-off but Jones also expects their hosts to utilise local advantage.

"That is why you play home and away Tests, mate," said Jones.

"The interesting thing will be if you go to the ground [Principality Stadium] at 10 in the morning, is the groundsman going to have the hosepipe on?"

Wales' imperfect 10

• South Africa (L) 16-52, 19 August 2023

• Scotland (L) 26-27, 3 February 2024

• France (L) 24-45, 10 March 2024

• Italy (L) 21-24, 16 March 2024

• Fiji (L) 19-24, 10 November 2024

• Australia (L) 20-52, 17 November 2024

• South Africa (L) 12-45, 23 November 2024

• Ireland (L) 18-27, 22 February 2025

• England (L) 14-68, 15 March 2025

• Argentina (L) 28-52, 9 November 2025

Japan target tier one away scalp

Jones has led the Brave Blossoms' only victories over Wales - in 2013 and 2025 - both at home.

However, Japan have never won in Wales, losing each of their previous five visits by an average margin of 51 points.

Their only previous away victory against a tier-one nation in the professional era was the famous shock win over South Africa in Brighton at the 2015 World Cup, again masterminded by Jones.

Backing this up more than a decade later this weekend would represent a major step forward for the current Japan team.

Following a disastrous stint with Australia, Jones returned to lead Japan after the 2023 World Cup and has slowly seen an improvement in a youthful side.

"We had a very young team last year," said Jones.

"This is our second year and you can see more consistency. We're starting to get a good base of players and the team is developing its own chemistry and cohesion.

"We are on the right trajectory, and when you feel like that, you need another boost, which is a win against a big team. Wales presents that opportunity on Saturday."

This game will be an unofficial decider between the teams who took a win apiece in the summer and with Wales (12th) just one place above Japan in the world rankings.

Having lost 24-19 to Japan in the first Test, Wales finally ended a run of 18 defeats with a 31-22 victory in Kobe in July.

Wales have since appointed new head coach Tandy, with Jones expecting some subtle differences.

"It is our third game against them this year so we know each other pretty well," said Jones.

"The attack philosophy looks the same because the coach [Matt Sherratt] has not changed, so they have some consistency.

"Steve is known for the way his team defends. He likes a connected defence, likes to choke in the tackle, so that will be different from the summer."

Japan have lost to Australia, South Africa and Ireland so far in their autumn matches and finish their year against Georgia in Tbilisi on 22 November.

Jones said: "Wales is our fourth game of this tour and I feel as if each week we are getting better. We're in a good spot to play Wales."