It comes almost a century-and-a-half after they took to the field for the very first time.
Now, Steve Tandy’s side step into another chapter of Welsh rugby heritage - the ninth century of matches - marking nearly 144 years since that inaugural Test.
Much has changed since the pioneering clash with England at Mr Richardson’s Field in Blackheath back in 1881.
The sport has evolved from a largely amateur pastime, arranged through personal initiative and handwritten letters, into a fully professional global spectacle.
In those early days, the resourceful Richard Mullock organised the meeting with England and selected the Welsh line-up two months before the Welsh Football Union—now the WRU—was even founded.
Travel, communication, and scheduling were far more challenging in that era.
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The RFU’s insistence that the contest take place on the same day as a WRU Challenge Cup semi-final between Swansea and Llanelli cost Mullock several capable players.
Forced to patch together a side, he even recruited two men from the crowd at the last minute when expected team members failed to appear.
The team changed at the Prince of Wales pub and walked half a mile to the field.
England crossed the line 13 times—tries that carried no points under the scoring system of the time—and even had another disallowed for being deemed contrary to the spirit of the game.
Under today’s rules, the defeat would have been recorded as 82-0, but the scoreline mattered far less than the moment itself: Wales had entered the international arena, lighting the flame for a national sporting passion that has endured ever since.
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As the milestones show, Wales secured their 100th win against Scotland in 1914, celebrated their 500th against Japan in 2001, reached the 600 mark versus the USA in 2009, and notched their 700th against Tonga in 2017.
Now, the 800th arrives on home soil in Cardiff.
History may be on some minds, but other supporters at the Principality Stadium will be simply longing for a first home victory since August 2023, hoping to halt a nine-match losing streak at the venue.
Last weekend’s Quilter Nations Series opener brought a 52–28 setback against Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina, who crossed for seven tries.
This afternoon marks the third encounter of the year between Wales and Japan, with the summer Tests finishing one win apiece.
The stakes are high: 12th place in the World Rugby Rankings—currently held by Wales—is on the line, and that position determines the lowest-ranking spot eligible for Band 2 in December’s Rugby World Cup draw.
Wales’ defeat to the Pumas cost them 0.48 ranking points, leaving Japan, who lost 41–10 to Ireland, only 0.32 behind.
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Tandy acknowledged both encouraging signs and clear areas for development following his team’s four-try display in his first match in charge.
“Obviously the day ended in disappointment but there’s a lot to like around the group.
To score four tries was a real positive, and we left a few out there, but there’s disappointment at conceding 50 points,” said Tandy in the wake of the defeat to the Pumas.
“The underlying feeling, though, is that there were certain parts of what the group did that were exciting for us going forward.
“The way we came back into the game after going down 14-0 against a battle-hardened Argentina side who came into the game coming off the back of playing New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, was good.
“At 14-14, we had some moments up in their end where we might have put more pressure on them.
“Whenever we did have field position, we did look threatening, and we had intent.
“I always knew it was going to be a challenge. We want to build something people can identify with and build something people are excited about going forward.
“There was a lot in the game where you could see what we were trying to do, which is exciting. We’ve got boys with low cap numbers, and I know the journey we’re going to go on.
“I’m excited by it, and I’m energised by it. I know this is the marker of how far we need to go - it’s a line in the sand to give us something to work on. We’ve been together as new coaches for two weeks and we’ve seen a lot of things we’ve worked on come out.
“Test match rugby is unforgiving, and we all understand that, but I’m motivated and excited by this group.
“We’ve spoken about being tough as a group and there will be tough moments in this journey. We’re 12th in the world for a reason, but I did feel you could see where we want to go to and how we want to play.
“The exciting thing is there are things we can learn from that will hold us in good stead going forward. Scoring four tries is an outstanding start for us, but we can’t be conceding seven.”
Japan, under Eddie Jones, have endured a challenging run since defeating Wales in the first Test of the July series.
Consecutive losses to Australia, South Africa and Ireland mean they, too, arrive with something to prove.
Both teams are missing influential leaders—Japan without Michael Leitch and Wales without Jac Morgan—setting the stage for a fiercely contested landmark match.
