Adams scores twice as Wales beat Japan 28-21 in Nations Championship

Wales defeated Japan 28-21 at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, securing a Nations Championship bonus-point win after a late score from the visitors kept the result in doubt. Josh Adams scored twice, with Archie Griffin and Louis Rees-Zammit also crossing for the hosts, according to BBC Sport's match report. Japan finished with a losing bonus point.

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Griffin opened the scoring with his first Test try after an early break by Rees-Zammit helped set up the attack. Japan responded through Ben Gunter after winning possession at a Welsh breakdown. Adams then restored the home side's advantage, but Warner Dearns crossed for Japan to bring the teams level again. Both Japanese first-half tries were converted by Naoto Saito.

Rees-Zammit put Wales ahead just before the interval, beginning and finishing an attack that included a powerful carry and offload from centre Eddie James. It was the wing's first try in eight internationals. Prop Nicky Smith then won an important turnover near his own line, helping Wales reach half-time with a 21-14 lead rather than allowing Japan another immediate response.

Wales struggled to extend that advantage after the break. BBC Sport reported that they lost six line-outs during the match, while handling mistakes and penalties repeatedly interrupted their attacks. Two kicks by Sam Costelow also brought promising passages to an end without a score. Rees-Zammit was named player of the match, with James, Blair Murray, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright also contributing strongly with the ball.

Adams eventually claimed the fourth Welsh try after Murray launched a counter-attack and linked with scrum-half Tomos Williams. Japan nevertheless stayed in contention when replacement scrum-half Kenta Fukuda finished a passing move to reduce the deficit to seven points. Adams subsequently won a turnover penalty as Wales protected their lead through the closing stages.

The result gave Steve Tandy his fourth victory in 13 internationals as Wales head coach, but left his team fifth in the northern hemisphere table. Wales next host New Zealand before facing Australia to complete their regular league programme. Japan's remaining trips are to England and Scotland, ahead of the competition's finals weekend at Twickenham later in November.