THANK EVANS! LAST-GASP KICK SAVES WALES FROM HUMILIATION

WALES finally ended a dismal losing streak of 10 Test matches at the Principality Stadium but needed a last-gasp penalty from Jarrod Evans to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

Japan's Harry Hockings (left) hits Alex Mann with the crucial tackle that gave the home side late field position

Steve Tandy's side showed character to claim a 24-23 victory after looking dead and buried with five minutes left on the clock.

Winning is the most important thing, but this was an abject performance and if Wales put in similar performances over the next fortnight against New Zealand and South Africa, the final score will be beyond embarrassing.

Here are your winners and losers from a tense evening in Cardiff.

JARROD EVANS

The Harlequins playmaker was called into action in the 79th minute with Wales staring down the barrel of a shocking defeat in Cardiff.

But after working their way downfield they won a penalty out wide.

Up stepped Evans to slot over the match-winning kick.

That was not an easy kick by any stretch of the imagination and the 29-year-old was under huge pressure to send the ball between the posts.

But he did, as Evans saved Wales from the ignominy of a first-ever home defeat to Japan.

OLLY CRACKNELL

At 31 the Leicester Tigers back-rower probably thought his chances of playing Test rugby had passed him by.

But after making his international bow as a replacement in the home defeat to Argentina, Cracknell was handed a first Wales start against Japan.