Arabic version: مورتشي يطالب ويلز بتحسين دفاعها قبل اختبار اليابان

According to BBC News, Wales defence coach Peter Murchie has called for a vast improvement when the side resume their Nations Championship campaign against Japan on Saturday at 16:40 GMT. Murchie is preparing for his second campaign in charge of defence after joining Steve Tandy’s backroom staff from Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

Wales beat Fiji in Cardiff in July but lost to Argentina and South Africa. Across those three matches, the side missed more than 100 tackles and conceded 15 tries. Murchie said he was not happy with the defence overall and believes there is much more improvement to make.

“We want to be extremely tough to break down and play against,” Murchie said. He added that the players are ambitious and that Wales want to be more consistent defensively during November. Having joined the staff after the Japanese Rugby League One season ended in June, he said the coaches have had a bigger lead-in, more time to debrief the summer and build relationships.

Murchie also said Wales must improve their win ratio after recording three victories in 12 Tests under Tandy so far. Since November 2025, Wales have beaten Japan, Italy and Fiji and lost their other nine internationals. He said the group is there to win Test matches and is seeking consistency in delivery and performance in every game.

Japan will be familiar opponents, with Saturday’s match their fourth meeting with Wales in 16 months. Murchie, who coached in Japan last year, said the Eddie Jones-coached side have skills and pace, alongside a large foreign contingent that brings size and bulk in the forwards. He said Wales respect Japan as a well-coached, well-drilled team and will need to be at their best.