The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond
08:04, 15 Nov 2025Updated 13:59, 15 Nov 2025
Wales and Japan will wear different kits today(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, November 15.
Wales v Japan kit change announced
Both Wales and Japan will change their kits for Saturday’s autumn clash in Cardiff, it has emerged.
Steve Tandy’s men will play in white, with Japan in dark blue when the teams meet at the Principality Stadium. Both teams played in their traditional home kits when the sides met in Japan during the summer.
However, Wales traditionally wear their alternative kit for at least one match during the autumn fixtures, and Wales’ white kit would clash with Japan’s normal white and red. The game will therefore have a slightly unfamiliar look to it as two teams desperate for victory battle it out.
Wales released new kits for this season during the summer, with the white alternative shirt sporting a black and red collar. It has thin streaks of wavy blue that blend into the white, with the three feathers popping out through a contrasting red background.
The shorts are black with a strip of white down the side and feature black and white socks with another strip of red.
Injured Wales star predicts big Wales win
Wales find themselves in a rare position today, having been made favourites to win by bookmakers. The home side are 1/6 favourites to see off Eddie Jones’s side in Cardiff.
Injured Wales hooker Ryan Elias believes Wales will run out strong winners against Japan, backing his team-mates to win by 25 points. The two teams met twice in the summer in Japan, with Wales losing the first match 24-19 before winning the second 31-22. Both those matches were played in oppressive heat, and Wales should be more comfortable in home surroundings.
Asked for his prediction on S4C’s Jonathan show, he said: “I’m going to say Wales. There were promising flashes in the last game. I hope we can build on that and Steve Tandy and the new coaches in camp have another week and I think that’ll help massively.
“I think Wales 32-7, something like that.”
Wales players discuss Principality Stadium crowd responsibility
Wales captain Dewi Lake says his side want to “give people something to cheer” as he prepares to lead them out against Japan in Cardiff this afternoon.
Steve Tandy’s side have not won at the Principality Stadium for over two years, with the last Welsh home win coming against England in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in August 2023. With that losing run on home turf extended by last weekend’s record defeat to Argentina, Lake and his teammates are determined to finally give the Cardiff crowd something to celebrate.
Addressing the media during Friday’s captain’s run, the hooker said that the squad had discussed the importance of restoring some cheer among the home fans in the build-up to the Japan clash.
“I think for us it is about learning to win,” said Lake, who has been appointed as captain for the remainder of the autumn campaign after Jac Morgan was ruled out with a dislocated shoulder.
“When you are winning consistently you are never really worried about being behind in games, you don’t chase it or try to do too much on your own. You just understand your game model will shine through and you’ll be there or thereabouts.”
“It’s about getting back to that point where we feel unbeatable and you feel like you can win any game you’re in,” the Ospreys star added. “We want to give people something to cheer.
“It’s our job to give this stadium energy. Nobody is going to cheer for a side that is not given them enjoyment. We have spoken about that as a group. It is for us to give life to these fans and energy to get behind us.”
Scott Barrett: All Blacks have scars from England
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Scott Barrett admits New Zealand are still haunted by their 2019 World Cup defeat by England as they look to extend their unbeaten run against their rivals at Allianz Stadium to six matches.
Six years ago the All Blacks were defeated 19-7 in the Yokohama semi-final, with the scoreline failing to reflect England’s dominance on an afternoon when Barrett was replaced at half-time.
Steve Borthwick’s men have not beaten New Zealand since, but the wound remains open for a side that enters the Twickenham showdown as marginal underdogs.
“Look back over the past few games we’ve had against England and it’s been a one-score game,” All Blacks captain Barrett said.
“If history is anything to go by Saturday will be one heck of a Test match and we’ve certainly got some scars from the English going back to the 2019 World Cup.
“Every All Black wants to win a World Cup – that’s the dream – so to have the rug pulled from underneath you by England, it certainly leaves a scar.”
New Zealand face the toughest test yet of their Grand Slam tour of the four home unions, with Saturday’s hosts currently on a nine-match winning run.
“We are expecting a strong English team targeting the first 30 minutes and backing their defence. They are a team that has got a bit of confidence and some momentum at home,” Barrett said.
“They have selected a 6-2 split on the bench so it’s certainly going to be physical, we always expect that against England.
“Both teams will want to play a little bit too and there are going to be pressure moments around the high ball, winning the ball there where they certainly put in a lot of energy.
“For us it’s about taking the strengths we’ve built upon this season, playing with confidence and putting in the performance that we’re proud of.”
Caelan Doris hopes rugby fans can emulate football crowd
By Edward Elliot, PA, Dublin
Captain Caelan Doris hopes Ireland’s rugby team take inspiration from their footballing counterparts and spark another raucous Aviva Stadium atmosphere during Saturday’s sold-out showdown with Australia.
The Republic of Ireland kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup thanks to Thursday evening’s stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal.
Troy Parrott’s first-half double did the damage for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s hosts before Cristiano Ronaldo’s 61st-minute red card further fired up a euphoric Dublin crowd.
Ireland rugby internationals Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Jacob Stockdale and Ciaran Frawley were among those in attendance, while the rest of Andy Farrell’s squad tuned in on television at the team hotel ahead of facing Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies at the same venue.
“There was good excitement watching it, it was class, the atmosphere here was unbelievable and we’ll be looking for something similar tomorrow,” said Doris.
“I think it comes when there’s passion in how they’re playing. You could see there was no fear really in how they played, they just kept attacking and were quite cohesive in that.
“There was a nice reaction when Ronaldo got sent off as well. It was class and very cool to watch.”
The Aviva Stadium atmosphere for rugby internationals has been an ongoing talking point in recent years amid efforts to enhance the matchday experience.
Last weekend’s 41-10 victory over Japan took place in front of a flat lunchtime crowd.
“The biggest thing is through how they (the football team) play, the knock-on reaction they can have with the supporters and the passion you see,” said Doris.
“It’s a late kick-off for us tomorrow night (8.10pm) and hopefully we can get them going.”
Amid weather warnings in Dublin, Ireland trained in wind and swirling rain on Friday morning.