Yep you're right Caryl... but Japan will also be delighted at how they had ridden out the ten minutes with a player in the sin bin.

Asari returns and Japan are back to full strength.

Caryl James
Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Cymru

Fair play to Wales.

The fact they've stopped that Japan attack will really lift their spirits.

Japan got to within touching distance of the posts.

They then look for space out wide but the pass is forward and they come back for a penalty right in front of the Welsh posts.

It's a perfect platform but prop Wako Kitano is held up over the line by a combination of Freya Bell and Sisilia Tuipulotu.

Great defence from Wales.

Wow. That was such an impressive drive from the seven Japan forwards.

They may be a player down but they're taking on Wales head on.

Japan are edging closer with every phase and the crowd are loving it.

Wales centre Freya Bell puts in a tasty tackle there.

But Japan's debutant number eight Savannah Bodman finds a gap from the quickly recycled ball.

She just put her head down and went for it.

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC One Wales

I feel for the girls there.

I've seen those given as tries and given as obstruction.

It's been chalked off.

Wales didn't quite get their lineout choreography right there and are pulled back for obstruction.

That will be really frustrating as they had a real chance to take the lead against seven forwards.

Image source, Getty Images

And Wales take immediate advantage of the extra player with the game's opening score.

Oh hang on. Fourth official has called the referee to take another look at potential obstuction.

Well that's a very early card from referee Zussman.

Seems a little harsh to be flashing yellow after just six minutes but Wales are now a player up.

Caryl James
Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Cymru

Wales are doing well in the early stages.

They are very aggressive in the tackle and making a nuisance of themselves in Japan's rucks.

First penalty goes to Wales.

Discipline has been a real problem for Japan in the WXV so far.

Not surprising in these soaking conditions that both sides are using the boot to suss each other out.

I can't believe there are fans actually sat out in the open stands!

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC One Wales

Really looking forward to this game today.

This game is pivotal to see where we are, they had two fantastic opening games with a win and a narrow loss against the USA.

Wales come into this favourites so it's important that they show their dominance.

Former Canada international Julianne Zussman blows her whistle and Keira Bevan gets the game started.

Japan - playing in all white - hoist it back up in the air and we're off.

Elinor Snowsill
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

We had 33% possession against USA who are a top team, and still scored four tries.

If we can do that against them, imagine what we could do if we have more of the ball.

Well there might not be many Welsh fans here, but women in red belted out that anthem.

They're up for this one.

Japan will climb above Wales into 11th place with victory and condemn their visitors to a two-place drop to 13th, equalling their all-time low.

The Sakura Fifteen cannot catch South Africa in 10th this weekend even if the Springbok Women are heavily beaten by Ireland.

Wales cannot improve on 11th place with victory, but a win would see Japan drop a place to 13th with Fiji the beneficiaries.

Caryl James
Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Cymru

I'm really excited to see their development continue today.

We're playing fast, exciting rugby now which has been the DNA under Sean Lynn so far.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the partnership between Seren Lockwood and Kiera Bevan who are back together today.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

2021 Wales 23-5 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

2024 Wales 19-10 Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa

This will be their first meeting on Japanese soil.

Wales have won both previous tests between the two teams, the most recent coming on neutral soil in South Africa during WXV 2 2024.

Tries from Nel Metcalfe and Keira Bevan gave Wales a 12-0 lead after 15 minutes and it would remain that way until half-time.

Jasmine Joyce grabbed Wales’ third try shortly after the break with Bevan’s conversions taking it to 19-0.

Japan had to wait until the final quarter to open their account with tries from Misaki Matsumura and Ayasa Otsuka.

Joyce had also scored twice in the first test between the sides in Cardiff in 2021.

Japan ran out 52-10 winners when the sides met in a non-cap match in June 2017 in Ystrad Mynach when Iroha Nagata and Keiko Kato each scored a brace of tries.

The sides will meet again at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium on 31 October.

This will be Japan’s 100th test match dating back to their international debut against France, a 62-0 loss in the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. The Sakura Fifteen have a W47, L50, D2 record in their 99 tests to date.

Opened in 1947, the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium commemorates the Japanese sporting prince by that name, who had a deep love of rugby union. He died in 1953 and his statue is in the stadium.