Wales are back in Japan for the first time since the 2019 World Cup Summer tour first Test:Japan v Wales Venue:Mikuni World Stadium, KitakyushuDate:Saturday, 5 JulyKick-off:06:00 BST Coverage:Watch live on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. 'We became family in 2019. Welcome back Welsh rugby.' That has been the message on billboards - and on T-shirts worn by some locals - in Kitakyushu this week. Wales face Japan in the first Test at the Mikuni World Stadium on Saturday. For the tourists, that means a return to Welsh rugby's spiritual Japanese home, after Kitakyushu took Wales to its heart during the 2019 World Cup. The industrial city became a home from home for Wales six years ago, when it was the training base for Warren Gatland's squad during a tournament in which they reached the semi-finals. This time around the city will host Wales in a Test match for the first time as Matt Sherratt's side face Eddie Jones' Japan. And while Wales' senior men's side might be struggling having not won a Test since October 2023, they are still regarded as heroes in this corner of Japan. Nicky Smith was one of four players in the current Wales squad who travelled to Japan in 2019, alongside Aaron Wainwright, Elliot Dee and Josh Adams Such is the city's love and respect for its returning guests that one local journalist even suggested to a Wales coach this week that most people in Kitakyushu want the tourists to win on Saturday. That might be up for debate, but what cannot be questioned is the warm welcome given to the Wales class of 2025 when they touched down at the airport last week. At the city's railway station, meanwhile, there is a giant montage celebrating Welsh rugby. Back row Aaron Wainwright is one of four Wales players in the current 33-man squad who were here in 2019. "It's good to come back and take more in than maybe I did in 2019," he said. "We had a big welcome when we arrived and a few of the boys were quite taken aback because it was probably something they had not experienced before. "I was trying to explain what it was like in 2019 and how big that World Cup was here. We went for a team walk and we had some of the guys coming up to a few of the boys and asking for photos and autographs. "It shows how much support we have here and a lot of that comes from the World Cup." Wainwright revealed some local residents recognised him from six years ago. "There have been a couple of people I spoke to in 2019 who remember me and our conversations," he added. "There was a guy and his young boy I met who said they had chatted to me in 2019. "The father said his boy had grown up quite a bit since then and he was into his rugby. Having another conversation with them was nice and felt a little bit rewarding." This video can not be played Japan v Wales: Japanese children sing Welsh national anthem to visiting players Welsh rugby's relationship with Kitakyushu did not develop by accident. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) forged links with the city for at least a year before the 2019 World Cup and there is a delegation out here again this week rekindling the love affair. The party is led by former Wales full-back - and now WRU head of commercial - Rhys Williams and includes former Wales women's captain Siwan Lillicrap. This week's cultural programme involved a visit to Shinozaki Junior High school which was attended by Wales captain Dewi Lake, flanker Tommy Reffell and scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who watched as pupils belted out a rendition of the Welsh national anthem. "It was incredible to hear more than 100 children singing our national anthem in Welsh after they had been practising every day for a long time," said Williams. "It feels like a bit of Wales is here. We created a huge legacy programme back in 2019. "This is the first time we have had the chance to come back to Japan and especially Kitakyushu. The relationship we have with the city is unbelievable." Wales trio Dewi Lake, Tommy Reffell and Rhodri Williams are in Japan for their first senior men's tour Wales' previous trip to Kitakyushu did not pass without controversy. After all, this was the place in which the squad were based when attack coach Rob Howley was sent home after betting allegations surfaced. But there are mainly happy memories for Wales - and their Japanese admirers - from those late summer days of 2019. This visit will end with Saturday's first Test, when Wales will aim to end a 17-match international losing run. The Mikuni World Stadium was the scene of one of the highlights of Wales' visit to these shores six years ago. An open training session held before the tournament was attended by a capacity crowd of more than 15,000 locals, who memorably sang the Welsh national anthem in unison. "I had never experienced something that before, where the stadium was full to the brim for just a training session," said Wainwright. "Having everyone singing and chanting during that session was one of the special highlights of my tour. Hopefully this time it will be even louder." But which anthem will be louder on Saturday? And will the home crowd be shouting for Japan or their beloved visitors? "We were speaking to people last night and they think the majority of the crowd will be backing Wales," said Williams. "We hope that is the case." Rhys Williams was part of the Welsh Rugby Union delegation that helped form relationships with the people of Kitakyushu in 2019
Wales backed by locals in home away from home
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"Wales Returns to Kitakyushu for Historic Test Match Against Japan"
TruthLens AI Summary
Wales has returned to Kitakyushu, Japan, for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they had established a strong bond with the local community. The team is set to face Japan in a Test match at the Mikuni World Stadium, a venue that holds sentimental value for Welsh rugby. During their previous visit, Kitakyushu served as a training base for Warren Gatland's squad, which made it to the semi-finals. This year marks a significant occasion as it is the first Test match to be hosted in the city, despite the Welsh team currently facing difficulties, having not secured a win since October 2023. Nevertheless, the locals continue to hold the Welsh players in high regard, with one journalist noting that many residents of Kitakyushu are rooting for Wales in this matchup. The warm reception was evident upon the team's arrival, with billboards and T-shirts in the city conveying messages of welcome and camaraderie, highlighting the lasting impact of their previous visit.
Players like Aaron Wainwright, who was part of the 2019 squad, have expressed their appreciation for the affection shown by the local fans. Wainwright recalled how some residents recognized him from their last encounter, and he even had meaningful conversations with families who remembered their interactions. The Welsh Rugby Union has been proactive in nurturing this relationship, sending a delegation to Japan to strengthen ties further. This visit included cultural exchanges, such as a visit to a local school where students performed the Welsh national anthem, showcasing the deep-rooted connections formed over the years. The first Test on Saturday will be a pivotal moment for Wales, who are eager to break their losing streak and make a positive impression in a city that has embraced them as family. As the match approaches, there is a sense of anticipation regarding the crowd's support, with indications that many locals may cheer for their beloved Welsh visitors during the game.
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