After last week’s defeat to Japan, can Wales end their 18-game losing streak in Kobe?
Watch a Japan v Wales live stream as Matt Sherratt’s team try to bounce back from last Saturday’s defeat, in the hope of ending their record-breaking 18-game losing streak
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to watch Saturday’s game at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe, including a free option if you’re in the United Kingdom.
Scroll down to the end of the article for team line-ups and officials.
Japan v Wales first Test: Key information
– Japan v Wales date: Saturday 12 July 2025
– Japan v Wales venue: Noevir Stadium, Kobe
– Japan v Wales kick-off time: 6.50am BST / 2.50pm (local)
– Japan v Wales FREE STREAM: BBC iPlayer / S4C Clic (UK)
– Other TV channels: Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand)
– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free
Live stream Japan v Wales for FREE in the UK
Wales’ second Test against Japan is available for free in the UK on S4C. It will be broadcast live on S4C, and stream on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. The game will be available with Welsh commentary on each platform, though the English language option will only be available on TV (via the red button) and S4C Clic. Coverage starts at 6.30am BST ahead of the 6.50am kick-off.
BBC iPlayer and S4C Clic are free to use, but you do need an up-to-date TV Licence to stream live TV in the UK. You’ll also need to complete a simple registration to access the services.
Travelling outside the UK on Saturday morning? A VPN can help you tune into the game as if you were back home. Here’s how…
Watch Japan v Wales from anywhere
Even if you’re outside the UK this weekend you don’t have to miss the Japan v Wales live stream on Saturday.
A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) allows you to change your IP address, making your smartphone, tablet or laptop appear to be in any country in the world. This allows you to avoid geo-restrictions that might prevent you from watching your usual subscription services when you’re abroad. A good VPN also has the added benefit of improving your internet security when you’re online.
The tech experts at TechRadar test hundreds of VPNs as part of the day job, and right now they reckon NordVPN is the leader of the pack.
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Watch Japan v Wales in New Zealand
Kiwi fans looking for an extra rugby hit before the All Blacks’ second Test against France can watch a Japan v Wales live stream. Kick off is at 5.50pm NZST on Saturday evening.
Sky Sport NZ has the rights to the match. A subscription to streaming service Sky Sport Now costs $54.99 per month or $549.99 per year (equivalent to $45.83 per month). Day passes are also available for $29.99.
Japan v Wales line-ups and officials
Japan:
Ichigo Nakakusu, Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Halatoa Vailea, Seungsin Lee, Naito Sato; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Keijiro Tamefusa, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (captain), Jack Cornelsen, Faulua Makisi
Replacements:
Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Sam Greene, Kazema Ueda
Wales:
Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements:
Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles
Luke Pearce of England is the referee, assisted by England’s Karl Dickson and Argentina’s Damian Schneider. Glenn Newman of New Zealand is in the TMO booth.
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