Wales set to feel the heat in Japan

Jones expects hosts to 'really run Wales off their feet'

- By BEN JAMES

As Wales flew out to Japan yesterday, they did so with weeks of preparation for the humid and hot conditions that await them.

Temperatures are set to rise above 30 degrees C Kitakyushu and Kobe in the coming weeks, with the added humidity only serving to make conditions that little bit more difficult. It’s little wonder that the kick-off times in Japan have been a source of negotiations behind the scenes.

British TV broadcasters are understood to want a later kick-off from the 6am UK time, but Japan coach Eddie Jones has remained steadfast on the 2pm local start time. As things stand, it’s not entirely clear if the kick-off time has been finalised.

Jones’ hardball stance - described by one source as ‘playing silly buggers’ - is understandable, with the heat likely to be stifling at that time of the day. Working in special chambers to acclimatise to the heat and humidity should help Wales, but Japan's style of play will be another factor to contend with.

A statistic hammered into the Welsh squad in recent days is that Japan boast the fourth-best speed of ball out of the top 13 nations in the world.

Little wonder then that Jones recently stated his hope that the Brave Blossoms would “really run Wales off their feet” hence the analysis.