We owe the nation a big performance, admits Rogers

TOM Rogers says the Welsh team owe the nation a performance in their final game of the season as they look to bounce back from Saturday's 24-19 defeat to Japan in Kitakyushu.

- BEN JAMES Reporter [e-mail]

Matt Sherratt's side travelled to Kobe on Sunday ahead of Saturday's clash at Noevir Stadium.

The second Test against Japan marks the end of a desperately miserable campaign for Wales, with their losing run at Test level now stretching to 18 matches.

That run saw previous head coach Warren Gatland leave his post mid-Six Nations, with no replacement having been appointed by the Welsh Rugby Union four months later.

As the national team continues to slide down the world rankings, there is also uncertainty hanging over the four professional clubs at the minute, amid suggestions the WRU are keen to cut the number of regions from four to three, or maybe even two.

All too often, a new low is reached and then surpassed, with no-one able to confidently predict where exactly rock bottom is.

The defeat to Japan - with Wales having thrown away a 19-7 halftime lead in Kitakyushu - is as low as it’s been so far, but with one game left, it remains to be seen how this tour - and this season as a whole - will end.

When asked if the Welsh players would throw everything into the final week of a long season, wing Rogers - who crossed for Wales’ third try on Saturday - said: “One hundred per cent.

“The boys will be fired up for this next game.