Summary

  • Wales hold on to end run of 18 straight international defeats in second of two summer Tests and final fixture of their season

  • Game played under roof at Noevir Stadium in Kobe

  • Wales register first international win since they beat Georgia in the World Cup in October 2023

  • Wales beaten 24-19 defeat first Japan Test last weekend having led 19-7 with 20 minutes remaining

  • Josh Adams scores early Wales try and Kieran Hardy goes over twice in first half, but Shuhei Takeuchi responds before break

  • Warner Deans cuts Welsh lead with contentious try after break before Dylan Riley breaks clear to score as Japan cut deficit to two points

  • Dan Edwards scores late try to ease nerves as Wales hold on for win

  1. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Japan 22-31 Wales

    Japan have a scrum in the Welsh half. There's a fumble and Wales turn the ball over.

    Tom Rogers boots the ball into touch in the Japan half.

    Tremendous.

  2. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Japan 22-31 Wales

    Just don't say it, Scott!

    There are still three minutes to play. That's a lifetime for this Wales side.

  3. Postpublished at 08:41 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-31 Wales

    Scott Williams
    Wales centre on BBC Radio Cymru

    I don't what to speak too soon, but you'd imagine Wales can do it from here.

  4. Postpublished at 08:41 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-31 Wales

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    That might finally be the score that ends the losing run.

    What a pass that is from Plumtree - high risk, high reward.

  5. Postpublished at 08:41 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-31 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    Really good play from Wales.

    A round-the-back pass from Plumtree, delicate hands from Tom Rogers and Dan Edwards doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

    That's confidence from Plumtree - he has done well since he came on.

  6. try

    Converted try - Japan 22-31 Walespublished at 75 mins

    Dan Edwards

    That will do!

    Wales finally go through the phases, play sensibly, put Japan under pressure.

    Sensibly, that is, until Taine Plumtree offloads with a cheeky little no-look sleight of hand.

    Luckily, it comes off, the ball goes to Dan Edwards, and the fly-half scampers over for a try he converts himself.

    Huge.

    Wales' Dan Edwards scores a tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  7. Postpublished at 08:38 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    Seven minutes for Wales to control this game. Seven minutes.

    Wales' Blair MurrayImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    A mistake from Japan fly-half Seungsin Lee, who kicks the ball straight out after the ball was taken back into the 22.

    Wales have a lineout in the Japanese 22.

  9. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    The lineout is secured but yet again Wales lose the ball and Japan clear.

    Abysmal.

  10. Postpublished at 08:35 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    It's going to be a long 10 minutes for Wales.

    They are still in the lead but it doesn't feel like it.

  11. Postpublished at 71 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Thank heavens for Josh Macleod, who earns Wales another timely turnover penalty.

    Dan Edwards kicks to touch superbly, into the Japan 22.

  12. Postpublished at 08:34 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Cennydd Davies
    Commentator on S4C

    Wales lost the lineout once again, and they lose chances to do something.

    That's three times this half.

  13. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Ten minutes to go. This is going to be painful.

  14. Postpublished at 08:33 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    Japan putting a lot of pressure on the lineout now, with the inexperience of Belcher.

  15. Postpublished at 69 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Some respite for Wales as a penalty allows Dan Edwards to kick to touch just outside the Japan 22.

    But the lineout is lost and Japan clear into the Welsh half.

    Dear me, their confidence is completely shot.

    Japan captain Michael Leitch kicks ahead and Wales flanker Taine Plumtree is forced to clear from his own line.

    Chaos.

  16. Postpublished at 68 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    This is painful viewing for Welsh fans.

    Has a team leading ever looked less likely to win?

  17. 'Wales have capitulated'published at 08:30 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    Wales have capitulated in the last five or six minutes.

  18. Replacementpublished at 66 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Wales centre Johnny Williams goes off injured, replaced by scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams, who seems to be on the wing.

    The risks of a 6-2 bench split.

  19. Postpublished at 66 mins

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Japan knock the ball on and Wales have a scrum just inside their own half.

    But the visitors look shell-shocked.

  20. Postpublished at 08:28 British Summer Time

    Japan 22-24 Wales

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    How many times are Wales going to let games slip from their control?

    They're right back in the battle now.