'A decent start' - attack gives Wales reason for hope

Matt Sherratt left Cardiff this summer to join the Wales coaching team

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Japan

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and live text on BBC Sport online.

Wales started the Steve Tandy era by scoring four tries in Cardiff for the first time since the opening round of the 2024 Six Nations, but it was the seven they conceded to Argentina that was the problem.

The scale of the task facing Tandy was revealed by a 52-28 hammering by the Pumas in the autumn opener.

However, there were enough flashes at Principality Stadium to give reason for some optimism going into Saturday's must-win game of a tough November against Japan.

Scrum-half Tomos Williams and hooker Dewi Lake went over to level the score in the first half and flanker Jac Morgan and full-back Blair Murray followed after the break in an enterprising approach.

Wales posed questions of the Pumas with ball in hand to leave attack coach Matt Sherratt reasonably content.

"It was a decent start. There was plenty of intent and some really good ball movement," said Sherratt, who left his role as Cardiff head coach to become one of Tandy's assistants.

"Our forwards in the middle of the field made some really late nice tips and pull-backs.

"We tried to get as many one v ones and as much quick ball for our backs as we could.

"There is still a lot of growth in every aspect of our attack but it's pretty difficult to be cohesive after eight sessions.

"I was really pleased with how much information the players took on board. For a first run-out there were some positive signs but there is a long way to go."

Coping with Japan's need for speed

Aaron Wainwright helped Wales end an 18-Test losing streak in Japan in July 2025

Wales have a six-day turnaround to face a Japan side who pushed Ireland a lot closer than last weekend's 41-10 scoreline suggests.

Sherratt was calling the shots as interim head coach in July when an 18-Test losing streak was ended in Kobe.

That long-awaited victory came after the Brave Blossoms had enjoyed a comeback victory in Kitakyushu against weary Welsh legs in sapping conditions.

It will be cooler in Cardiff this weekend but Eddie Jones' men will still test the concentration of a defence that struggled to contain the slick Pumas.

"Japan's big thing is speed. They want to play the fastest game on the planet, they try to play low and multi-phase," said Sherratt.

"The speed battle is always big but against a team that thrive in that type of game it's important for us to generate it in the middle of the field with go-forward and our ball movement.

"This campaign we have talked about trying to create our own identity. That's going to take a little bit of time and work on the parts of the game that are more about us.

"We will pay due respect to all of the opposition but it's a fresh start and we have to create how we play rather than worrying about the opposition at this stage."

Wales are likely to give Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards another opportunity after he made his first Principality Stadium international start against the Pumas.

The 22-year-old wore 10 on his back in Kobe - scoring the late clincher - and intends to show more signs of progress.

"We've had two weeks together and eight sessions before Argentina and we produced a lot of good stuff," Edwards said.

"Hopefully over the coming weeks we can click even better as an attacking unit. "The more combinations play together the better it gets."