Wales vs Japan teams: Costelow starts, Kitahara handed debut

The Wales vs Japan teams have been confirmed, with Sam Costelow selected at fly-half for the hosts and Riku Kitahara handed his Test debut for the visitors.

Steve Tandy’s Wales face Eddie Jones’ Japan at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 7 November 2026. Kick-off is at 4.40pm GMT in round four of the Nations Championship.

Dewi Lake captains Wales from hooker, while scrum-half Naoto Saito and lock Warner Dearns are Japan’s co-captains.

Wales team vs Japan: Costelow starts as Jenkins and Griffin return

Costelow gets the nod ahead of Dan Edwards and partners Tomos Williams at half-back. Max Llewellyn starts at inside centre alongside Eddie James, with Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Blair Murray forming the back three.

Archie Griffin and Dafydd Jenkins make their first appearances in the competition after missing the July rounds through injury. Nicky Smith starts at loosehead, while Ben Carter partners Jenkins in the second row.

Alex Mann, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright complete the pack. Cardiff’s selection update also confirms places for Teddy Williams and James Botham among the replacements.

Wales starting XV

Number	Player
1	Nicky Smith
2	Dewi Lake (captain)
3	Archie Griffin
4	Dafydd Jenkins
5	Ben Carter
6	Alex Mann
7	Jac Morgan
8	Aaron Wainwright
9	Tomos Williams
10	Sam Costelow
11	Josh Adams
12	Max Llewellyn
13	Eddie James
14	Louis Rees-Zammit
15	Blair Murray

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rhys Carré, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 James Botham, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Louie Hennessey.

Japan team vs Wales: Riku Kitahara makes Test debut

Jones has selected uncapped 27-year-old Kitahara at fly-half. He starts alongside Saito, with Samisoni Tua and Dylan Riley forming the centre partnership.

The Japan Rugby Football Union’s team announcement confirms Inoke Burua and Kippei Ishida on the wings, with Kazuma Ueda at full-back.

Mamoru Harada packs down between Yota Kamimori and Shuhei Takeuchi. Harry Hockings partners Dearns at lock, while Ben Gunter, Kanji Shimokawa and Jack Cornelsen make up the back row.

Japan starting XV

Number	Player
1	Yota Kamimori
2	Mamoru Harada
3	Shuhei Takeuchi
4	Harry Hockings
5	Warner Dearns (co-captain)
6	Ben Gunter
7	Kanji Shimokawa
8	Jack Cornelsen
9	Naoto Saito (co-captain)
10	Riku Kitahara
11	Inoke Burua
12	Samisoni Tua
13	Dylan Riley
14	Kippei Ishida
15	Kazuma Ueda

Replacements: 16 Kenji Sato, 17 Sojiro Otsuka, 18 Opeti Helu, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Tiennan Costley, 21 Kenta Fukuda, 22 Shinya Komura, 23 Jisu Lee.

What time is Wales vs Japan and how can I watch?

Wales vs Japan kicks off at 4.40pm GMT on Saturday 7 November at Principality Stadium. The match is live on ITV1 and S4C, with English-language streaming through ITVX.

Welsh-language streaming is available through S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. The full Wales vs Japan TV and streaming guide also covers viewing options in Scotland.

This is Wales’ first home match of the Nations Championship, following three away fixtures in July. They host New Zealand on 14 November and Australia on 21 November before the competition’s finals weekend.