**Eddie Jones Unimpressed by Questions Over Closed Roof Ahead of Japan vs Wales Test**
As the Welsh rugby team gears up for their second Test against Japan, the focus has shifted from pitch tactics to playing conditions, with the decision to close the stadium roof in Kobe emerging as a key talking point. However, one figure notably unwilling to dwell on the subject is Japan head coach Eddie Jones, who found irony in the ongoing debate—given Wales’ own tradition of playing under a roof in Cardiff.
Jones, responding to media queries ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Noevir Stadium, shrugged off concerns and described the subject as “quite ironic”. The former England coach quipped, “It’s quite ironic talking about roofs when you’re playing against Wales. I’ll probably leave it there, mate.” His reticence stems from the many discussions he’s encountered over similar issues during his time in the northern hemisphere, indicating this is far from a unique concern in international rugby.
The topic has arisen in part because Wales, after enduring sweltering sunshine during their previous outing in Kitakyushu, are now set for a somewhat different test—playing inside with the roof closed and kickoff still scheduled for the heat of the afternoon. While the absence of direct sunlight might seem like a reprieve, indications are that this may have little effect on the stifling temperatures awaiting both squads.
Perspectives on the impact of the closed roof vary within the Welsh camp. Some believe it could intensify the heat, with cooling systems likely to make only a modest difference once play gets underway. Players and coaches face uncertainty until the traditional captain’s run, which happens the day before the match, when they will have their first chance to experience the stadium’s conditions firsthand.
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt noted that while Welsh players are used to playing under the closed roof of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, temperatures there rarely reach the heights expected in Kobe. Wales’ training sessions ahead of the match have already taken place in fierce 36°C heat, which has tested the squad to its limits. Sherratt acknowledged that sweat and humidity make the ball more “greasy” when the roof is closed, a familiar challenge in Cardiff but exacerbated by the Japanese climate.
Captain Dewi Lake echoed these sentiments, stating, “There is probably going to be a different type of heat being inside a closed stadium. In the Principality when the roof is closed it gets sticky and dewy, so with the heat over here I am not sure if that will be good or bad. We won’t make any excuses for the weather or the surroundings, we will make sure we get things right.” Lake remains pragmatic, focusing on adaptation over complaint, noting that both teams must contend with the same elements.
Despite pragmatic attitudes on both sides, the conditions have not gone unnoticed. Sherratt admitted that the ferocious heat in Japan has been challenging for the team, reiterating that the squad remains a work in progress with a number of new players and coaching staff. “Without making excuses, this is a very new group. We are almost starting from scratch but we can’t spend three hours in 36C heat. 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.”
Jones, meanwhile, highlighted the universality of such challenges: “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 about rugby. We have these different conditions and you need to adapt.”
As kick-off approaches, the debate over the roof may prove secondary to the action on the pitch. Both squads are well aware that coping with the climate will be as fundamental to success as any tactical decisions made before the match. The build-up has provided a fascinating insight into how elite athletes and coaches navigate not only their opponents but also the unpredictable elements that characterise international rugby.
The closed roof may shape the narrative ahead of Saturday’s Test, but once the match begins, all eyes will be on which side can best adapt—both to their rivals and to the unyielding Japanese summer.