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Japan confirm Wales tour dates

Japan confirm Wales tour dates

The Japan Rugby Football Union(JRF)) have confirmed Wales will face the Asian champions in two Tests next June.

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The ‘Brave Blossoms’ will take on the world’s sixth-ranked team in Osaka on June 8 and in Tokyo on June 15.

Japan coach Eddie Jones insisted his side needed more games against top opposition in order to improve their work ranking.

“We need more quality games against the world’s biggest teams to achieve our goal of getting into the top 10,” Jones said.

“We’ll have Wales and then games with the islands (Fiji and Samoa) and Canada next year, so those are good tests but we need to keep plugging away. When you’re at the bottom of the food chain all you can do is keep asking and keep sticking your hand out.”

“These two tests are so important. But two are not enough. You can’t play low level teams and improve. We need 10 games like this a year.”

Ex-Wales star Shane Williams, currently playing his club rugby in Japan, was at the official announcement of the two Tests. Wales will no doubt begin the series as firm favourites but Williams warned his countrymen of complacency.

“I know a lot of Welsh players are looking forward to the tour next season. For me, Japan probably is one of the most hospitable places in the world, and certainly for a young squad coming on tour, there is no better place to come.

“I remember enjoying the experience when  I came to Japan in 2001 on tour. I certainly didn’t expect what happened to us here. We came here thinking we would come and win every game but unfortunately our first game was against Suntory, in 35 degrees and 90% humidity and we lost!

“That was a long time ago and since then the standard of rugby in Japan has doubled and the quality of players has doubled. The Top League and other leagues below it are far better than 11 years ago.

“As for the national side of Japan, I think they’re progressing every year.  I certainly enjoyed watching them during the World Cup. I think they showed a brand of rugby that excited the world. Under Eddie Jones, they’re continuing to progress.

“They have some exciting players. What I do like most about Japan national side and Japanese sides is that they do want to play rugby and score tries.”

Wales last played in Japan in 2001, when they swept a two-Test series after suffering an embarrassing defeat by Suntory in their opening tour game

Japan v Wales, 2013 tour dates 

Saturday, 8th of June at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka

Saturday, 15th of June at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium in Tokyo

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