Summer Tours 2025

There was extreme heat and humidity during the first Test in Kitakyushu last Saturday, which Japan won 24-19.

With the opening match of the series kicking off in mid-afternoon, players were using caps of ice to try and cool down - and Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau will miss the second Test after he suffered "heat-related cramping" in the first game.

The conditions in Kitakyushu meant World Rugby mandated three-minute water breaks in each half and an extended 20-minute half-time interval.

Those measures are expected to be repeated this weekend, with a closed roof also presenting issues of high humidity and a resultant slippery ball.

"From experience of the roof being closed in Principality Stadium, the ball can be a little bit greasy," said Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt.

"It's going to be hot, maybe a little bit wet, but there'll be some atmosphere because the fans here love their rugby.

"Atmospherically it's going to be a great experience for the players and obviously there's no getting away from the heat."

Saturday's game in Kobe will kick off at 14:50 local time with Wales facing a different sort of test with the roof being closed.

Welsh rugby knows all about a "roof row". There have been many debates about whether the Principality Stadium roof will be open or closed since the ground opened in 1999.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones has experienced that, especially during his time with England.

While Wales confirmed the roof will be closed this weekend, Jones was not as forthcoming, claiming he did not know.

When asked whether he thought Japan had benefitted from the weather conditions and kick-off times, Jones responded: "It's quite ironic talking about roofs when you're playing against Wales.

"Having known the the goings-on when you go there with England, whether it's going to be open or closed, is it going to rain, is it not going to rain?

"All those machinations are the same in every country in the world.

"When we go up and play in the northern hemisphere, no one turns the heating on. These are the conditions in Japan. It's the same for both teams.

"That's one of the great things of rugby. We have these different conditions and you need to adapt to them."

Wales face the Brave Blossoms desperate to gain revenge for last weekend's 24-19 reverse in Kitakyushu, in which they led 19-7 with 20 minutes remaining.

That was an 18th successive defeat and the tourists have insisted they are not using conditions as an excuse for results.

Captain Dewi Lake is unsure whether he wanted the roof open or closed.

"There is probably going to be a different type of heat being inside a closed stadium," said Lake.

"I know in the Principality when the roof is closed, it gets sticky so with the heat over here I am not sure if that will be good or bad.

"I know there will be no sun and it will be in shade but sometimes the ball gets a bit wetter.

"We won't make any excuses for the weather or surroundings, we will make sure we get our things right."

Lake says he has not got used to the hot temperatures.

"The heat is tough but it's the same for both teams," said Lake.

"Last week we tried to find shade wherever possible and huddled in groups.If we were behind the posts or had just scored, groups were in shaded areas. So we tried our best to stay out the heat and sun as much as possible.

"I don't think there is getting any used to it, it's just about dealing with it.

"After two weeks we are probably better than we were at the start, and we will be fine at the weekend."

Sherratt agreed with his captain about the elements.

"The heat is tough," said Wales interim head coach, who will return to Cardiff after this final game of the season.

"There is no getting away from that. We are not used to playing in it.

"It has not surprised me, just reinforced what I was told before I came out here."

Sherratt says Thursday's training session was the most intense they had experienced.

"Today was probably the hottest it's been, about 35C or 36C," Sherratt added.

"Without making excuses, this is a very new group.

"We have a new forwards coach who has to install lineouts and Gethin has come into the defence.

"I have had three weeks and there is so much work to put in. We are almost starting from scratch but we can't spend three hours in 36C heat so we actually cut today's session slightly short.

"If the players do not have energy it doesn't matter how much they know tactically or technically, they are not going to have the legs to deliver it."

England: Steward; Roebuck, Northmore, S Atkinson, Muir; Ford, Spencer; Baxter, George, Heyes, Ewels, Coles, B Curry, Underhill, T Willis.

Replacements: Dan, Rodd, Opoku-Fordjour, Cunningham-South, Pepper, Dombrandt, Van Poortvliet, Murley.