The last autumn series fixture to sell-out saw Wales take on New Zealand in 2014 and the last time a tier two nation faced the Welsh in front of a capacity home crowd was a decade ago, when Canada were beaten 61-26 in 2006.
The only other occasion Wales have faced Japan in front of a full-house in Cardiff was during the 1999 Rugby World Cup, when current head coach Rob Howley crossed for a try and skills coach Neil Jenkins kicked a 19-point haul in a 64-15 pool stage win.
Tickets to watch Wales face South Africa’s 26-24 summer Rugby Championship conquerors Argentina a week before the Japan game (Saturday 12th November) can also be picked up for just £20 and are still available in prime locations around the ground.
Wales beat the Pumas by 40-6 in front of a 46,253-strong in 2013, turning around a 12-26 loss from the previous year and have finished on the winning side 10 times across 15 meetings to date.
Sales for both the Australia and Springboks matches, which book-end the meetings with the Pumas and giant-killing Cherry Blossoms in the series, have already surpassed the 50,000 mark with the middle tier sold-out for both fixtures.
All three RBS Six Nations home matches sold-out last year for the first time since 2008 and the WRU recently announced a record £33.1m investment in the game with all profits generated in the 2015/16 re-invested in Welsh rugby.
Wales head coach Howley will announce his side to take on Australia in the series opener on Thursday.
The news is expected to lead to a significant upsurge in sales, as would a winning start to the campaign, with Howley conscious of the need for his players to get up to international pace quickly in readiness for both the Wallabies and the Pumas.
“The intensity (they will bring) from the Rugby Championship will be one of their strengths and the challenge for us is to be able to match that intensity and skill,” said Howley.
“The Pumas combine playing the game with great physicality and great skill and they like to play the ball in hand game.
“They have got two experienced half-backs in Sanchez and Landajo who actually pull the strings for them and they’ve got a fantastic back three.
“They love to play the game with high intensity … and the challenge for us is to be able to match that intensity and skill.”
Fellow Wales coach Shaun Edwards expects the players to be relishing the opportunity to take centre stage at Principality Stadium, as he would have in his playing days.
“One of the few regrets I have from my playing career is that I was never lucky enough to play at the stadium,” he said.
“I’d give my right arm to have played just one game there… just to go in there and play a game would be awesome.
“Argentina are benefiting from having played in the Rugby Championship over the last few years and they’ve actually changed their style of play really.
“They are now probably one of the most attacking teams in world rugby, whereas before they were very much vaunted for their set-piece.
“It does make for a very spectacular way of playing the game. It’s a little bit risky, but they don’t mind taking a risk.”
But the men in charge of preparing Wales for a four match campaign which includes clashes with ‘giant killers’ Japan and South Africa, are not making the mistake of looking too far ahead, as Howley points out it’s going to be a tough opener with the Wallabies possessing quality players both up front and across the back line.
“It’s always the same when you play against Australia, their back row composition is something to admire, because they have world class players in the back row,” added Howley – Wales face the Wallabies at Principality Stadium on Saturday 5th November to kick-off the Under Armour Series.
Edwards too is impressed by the Wallabies squad on paper, but he also suggests this first match might be one that Wales will particularly target because of the close-fought recent history between the two sides.
“They’re a team that have given us quite a lot of pain over the years,” he added.
“Last minute losses, one point scores, you name it, it’s happened to us against Australia, so I’d like to think the lads are doubly determined to try and avenge that and get a victory over Australia.
“Obviously up front they have got good ball carriers in the forwards as well, so all around the park Australia can hurt you if you let them and we know we have to really up our intensity in defence and keep our concentration levels.”
Tickets are still available now across all four matches in the series, starting at £20 for adults for the Argentina and Japan (£10 U16s concession for Japan) matches and £60 (with £30 concession) for the Australia and South Africa games, online at wru.wales/tickets or from your local club.
The Wallabies are in Cardiff this Saturday (KO 2.30pm), the Pumas are up next a week later (KO 5.30pm) and the Springboks bring the series to a climax on Saturday 26th November (KO 5.30pm) after Japan have had their say in the previous Saturday (KO 2.30pm).
For the first time concessionary prices, for U16s, have been available to over 40,000 fans for each match across the series.
Under Armour Series 2016 – (with remaining ticket categories)
Wales vs Australia – Saturday 5th November (Kick off 2.30pm): £60 (£30)
Wales vs Argentina – Saturday 12th November (Kick off 5.30pm): £50 / £40 (£20) / £30 / £20
Wales vs Japan – Saturday 19th November (Kick off 2.30pm): £35 / £20 (£10)
Wales vs South Africa – Saturday 26th November (Kick off 5.30pm): £70, £60 (£30)
