Japan

World Cup hosts Japan are behind on preparations for the 2019 tournament according to World Rugby with two years to go untill the competition gets underway.

As the preparations for the 2019 World Cup is in full swing, the host country Japan has announced a 46-day tour of all host cities and Top League teams with the showpiece event two years away.

The second round of the Rugby Women's World Cup 2017 saw New Zealand extend dominance over Hong Kong while England, Canada, France, USA and Ireland maintained their unbeaten streak.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew insisted that Japan will need more exposure at both the international and domestic level in order to be included in the Rugby Championship.

Ireland came up with a five try performance as they completed a 2-0 series win over Japan with a 13-35 victory at Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday.

Keith Earls, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan all scored double for Ireland as they completed a 22-50 convincing win over Japan at Shizuoka Stadium on Saturday.

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Ireland international Joey Carberry will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Japan after sustaining an ankle injury.

Fly-half Jumpei Ogura kicked 18 points for Japan as they completed a 33-21 victory over Romania in Kyushu on Saturday.

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Japan came up with a four try performance as they defeated South Africa by 10-22 in the final in Hong Kong and secure a berth in the Women's Sevens series.

The World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Qualifying kicked-off on Thursday in Hong Kong with Japan, Belgium and South Africa topping the respective pools.

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Team GB and England rugby team are in touch with each other to discuss their course of preparations for their respective grand events in Japan.

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate stated that his team's performance against Japan left a lot to be desired despite finishing on the winning side.

Replacement fly-half Sam Davies kicked a drop goal in the final minute to snatch a 33-30 victory for Wales from Japan at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Let us take a look on the few of the key points ahead of Wales' home clash against Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

As Wales and Japan lock horns on Saturday at Millennium Stadium, we take a look on a few of the facts from the game.

Wales interim coach Rob Howley insisted not to exert any pressure on Ospreys wing Keelan Giles as he is set to make his Test debut from the bench in the upcoming autumn international against Japan at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.