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Wales to play Japan in autumn internationals

Japan players celebrate after their win over South Africa
Image: Japan players celebrate after their win over South Africa

Wales will play Japan in November as part of the Under Armour Series 2016, the first time Japan have returned to Cardiff since the Rugby World Cup in 2007.

Japan are the newest addition to the series in which Wales will play four Tests at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with South Africa, Argentina and Australia their other opponents.

The game between Wales and Japan will take place on Saturday, November 19 and Japan will be hoping for a better performance than in their 72-18 defeat in 2007.

Japan caused an historic upset against South Africa during last year's World Cup, as they beat the Springboks 34-32.

Despite some strong performances against South Africa, Samoa and the United States, the Japanese were unable to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Ayumu Goromaru of Japan celebrates scoring his team's second try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B
Image: Ayumu Goromaru celebrates scoring for Japan against the Springboks

After their World Cup performance Japan have leapfrogged Fiji and Tonga into the top 10 of the International Rugby Board rankings.

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"The Under Armour Series will be about testing ourselves against the best sides in the world, and with Japan now completing the fixture line-up for 2016, we have four teams from World Rugby's top 10 coming to the Principality Stadium in November," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

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