Wales begin a pivotal month for their autumn series on Saturday when they host Japan in Cardiff, with the inaugural Nations Championship now moving into its next phase. It will be the fourth time the two sides have met in 16 months, and it gives Wales the first of three straight home Tests that could shape where they finish in the competition.
Steve Tandy said Wales are probably on par with where he would like them to be, but stressed that the squad want to kick on faster than they have done. That comes after an encouraging recent run against Japan, with Wales winning two out of three games since July 2025 and beating the Brave Blossoms in Cardiff a year ago with a last-gasp win.
Wales look to build on recent progress
The wider picture is more positive than it was 12 months ago, when Wales had won just one of 26 matches. Tandy pointed to the change in results, saying the boys have now started winning again, with four victories in 13 matches. That does not mean the job is finished, but it does suggest Wales are moving in the right direction after a difficult spell.
Saturday’s match is only the start of a demanding stretch. Later in November, Wales are due to play New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff, meaning the month could prove crucial both for Welsh rugby and for where Wales end up in the Nations Championship standings.
What comes next in the Nations Championship
The 12 sides in the competition have already played an opening trio of matches in July, and end of the month could bring another twist. If the schedule moves on as planned, the teams may head to Twickenham for a fourth set of matches and a three-day finals weekend. Wales, meanwhile, are also preparing for two further tournaments before the World Cup in Australia in just under a year.
For now, though, the focus is clear: Japan in Cardiff is the first test, and it arrives at a time when Wales need to show that their improvement can become momentum.
