**Wales Rugby Reeling After Japan Defeat with Players Admitting the Nation Deserves More**
Welsh rugby is facing one of the most challenging periods in its recent history, following a gut-wrenching 24-19 defeat to Japan in Kitakyushu that extended the men’s national team’s winless run to an unprecedented 18 matches. With only one fixture left this season, the squad are preparing in Kobe for next weekend’s tour finale, as calls grow for the team to deliver a performance that lives up to the expectations of their loyal supporters.
Wing Tom Rogers, who scored the third try for Wales in a match that saw his side lose grip on a 19-7 half-time lead, spoke candidly about the need for the team to redeem themselves. Rogers emphasised, “We absolutely have to put in a shift for the country and our fans in this final outing.” It is clear that the players are acutely aware of the disappointment felt by Welsh rugby followers at home, with many pundits already labelling this campaign as one of the darkest in modern memory.
The bleak mood surrounding the Welsh camp is compounded by wider turmoil, with the national side’s head coach position still unfilled months after Warren Gatland’s mid-Six Nations departure. Meanwhile, the uncertainty pervading Wales’ four professional regional clubs only seems to add to the prevailing sense of instability. The team’s continued decline in the world rankings serves as a stark reminder of the scale of the issues that must be addressed, both on and off the pitch.
Despite a backdrop of yet another heart-breaking loss, Rogers remained defiantly optimistic, insisting the adversity must fuel their efforts for next week’s encounter. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but the lads will turn up ready to fight. We need to meet this challenge head-on and show our true character,” he said. Nonetheless, the emotional weight of 18 consecutive defeats is visibly taking its toll, with several players reportedly close to tears as the realisation of another missed opportunity set in.
The match itself was heavily influenced by the stifling heat and humidity typical of a Japanese summer, resulting in a protracted, stop-start contest with frequent cooling breaks. Japan’s captain Michael Leitch noted the fatigue gripping the Welsh players in the latter stages, yet Rogers, alongside interim head coach Matt Sherratt and skipper Dewi Lake, refused to attribute their loss to the conditions. “We can’t use the weather as an excuse—representing Wales demands more than that,” Rogers insisted.
One of the brighter moments amid the disappointment was the international debut of Cardiff Rugby hooker Liam Belcher. The 29-year-old, who once contemplated careers in other trades before forcing his way into the Welsh squad, was visibly emotional as he reflected on achieving his long-held dream. “I’m delighted to earn my first cap, though obviously the result stings. Sharing that moment with my family made it even more special—seeing their pride means the world to me,” Belcher commented in a video released by the Welsh Rugby Union.
With so much uncertainty swirling around the coaching setup, former back-row stalwart Josh Navidi weighed in on potential permanency for Matt Sherratt. While Navidi acknowledged Sherratt’s ability as an international-standard coach, he expressed a view that Sherratt himself may prefer a more specialised backs coaching role rather than taking the top job permanently. Fellow ex-international Alex Cuthbert echoed these sentiments, pointing to Sherratt’s strengths within the coaching group.
Injuries have also played their part in Wales’ woes, most notably the tour-ending setback suffered by scrum-half Tomos Williams while on British and Irish Lions duty. Both Navidi and Cuthbert spoke movingly about Williams’ importance, lamenting his absence and praising his exceptional influence on and off the pitch. “He’s been among the best I’ve ever played alongside—his skills and leadership will be sorely missed,” Navidi commented.
As Wales prepare for their final Test of the season, much is at stake—not just for the future direction of the squad but for regaining pride in the jersey. The rugby community will be watching closely to see if this beleaguered group can summon a performance that starts to heal wounds and restore faith across the Welsh rugby landscape. The next 80 minutes in Kobe may well prove pivotal in defining how this turbulent chapter is ultimately remembered.