Queensland Reds 12 - 22 Lions
The British and Irish Lions made it three wins from three on tour, but had to work for it against a brave and skilful Queensland Reds side
How Wales plan to defeat Japan
Wales’ coaches are sandpapering the grip off their rugby balls and turning up the thermostats to get the squad ready for their Japan tour.
Halfpenny: Battle with Hogg will make me better
Wales and Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny says the battle for the full-back jersey will see him reach new highs.
Live updates
Full-time: Japan 23-8 Wales
Wales have been convincingly beaten by an inspired Japan in the second Test, in Tokyo.
Winger Tom Prydie touched down for a Welsh try, to extend their narrow half-time lead.
The hosts hit back though with two tries of their own, outplaying an inexperienced Wales side in the second half.
Half-time: Japan 6-3 Wales
Wales trail 6-3 after the first half of the second Test against Japan, in Tokyo.
The visitors have dominated possession and territory, but failed to take their chances.
Fly half Dan Biggar kicked their only points with a straightforward penalty.
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New Blues pitch will provide "a more expansive and attractive game"
– Richard Holland, Chief Executive, Cardiff BluesThe new surface will allow games to go ahead no matter the weather and hopefully enable us to play a more expansive and attractive game for supporters to enjoy.
There is also the wider community to consider and our aim is to make the pitch available for teams in the Blues region to play and train on.
We’ve put a great amount of effort into researching the different surfaces available and I have no doubt that the new artificial pitch will be a hit with players and supporters alike.
Work on installing the new pitch will begin in June ahead of Cardiff Blues playing their first match on the new surface against Sale Sharks on 23 August.
Cardiff Blues get go-ahead for artificial pitch
by Nick Hartley, Sports Reporter
Cardiff Blues will go ahead with plans to install and artificial pitch at the Arms Park in time for the start of next season.
The idea has been mooted by the region for several months but has been dependent on it being ratified by both the Welsh Rugby Union and its own members.
It is hoped that the new surface will put an end to the heavy, mud soaked pitch that has plagued the region for several seasons and provide them with a facility that allows almost weather-proof events.
Club officials also believe that it will offer a significant rise in commercial opportunities given that there will be no limit on the number of matches and events which can be held at the stadium.
The surface is similar to the one installed at English Premier League club Saracens' Allianze Park Stadium in recent months and manufacturers say it has been tested past all required safety standards.
Full Wales team v Japan
- Liam Williams
- Harry Robinson
- Owen Williams
- Jonathan Spratt
- Tom Prydie
- Dan Biggar
- Lloyd Williams
- Rhys Gill
- Emyr Philips
- Scott Andrews
- Bradley Davies (Capt)
- Lou Reed
- James King
- Josh Navidi
- Andries Pretorius
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhodri Jones, Craig Mitchel, Andrew Coombs, Dan Baker, Tavis Knoyle, Rhys Patchell, Dafydd Howells
Wales team v Japan
Cardiff Blues flanker Josh Navidi will make his international debut at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, in a side that also sees Tom Prydie (Dragons), Rhys Gill (Saracens) and Andries Pretorius (Blues), come into the starting XV.
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Lions 'have to improve strong performance' - Gatland
– Warren Gatland, British and Irish Lions head coachIt would be great to remain unbeaten and take that momentum into the 1st Test. However, more importantly we are looking to finalise key playing combinations and strengthen our patterns of play during the next two matches.
This match, the fourth of our lead-up matches in Australia, will assist in this process. To beat the Waratahs we know we have to improve on our strong performance last Saturday against the Reds. This side is more than capable of doing that.
Lions v Waratahs: full team
Here's the full team list for the British and Irish Lions v HSNC NSW Waratahs clash on Saturday in Sydney:
- Leigh Halfpenny
- Sean Maitland
- Jonathan Davies
- Jamie Roberts
- Simon Zebo
- Jonathan Sexton
- Mike Phillips
- Mako Vunipola
- Tom Youngs
- Adam Jones
- Alun Wyn Jones
- Paul O'Connell
- Tom Croft
- Sam Warburton - Capt
- Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Rob Kearney.
Gatland names his starting XV for Waratahs clash
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland is hoping to build on his side's winning record winning streak as he names his starting XV to face the New South Wales Waratahs.
Sam Warburton returns to the captaincy, with Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones completing the Welsh contingent in the starting line-up. Richard Hibbard and Dan Lydiate are on the bench.
Howley 'generally happy' with Lions performance
Rob Howley said the Lions coaching team were "generally happy", after they beat Combined Country 64-0 for a fourth successive victory on the 2013 tour.
The tourists scored six tries in the first half, and four more in a scrappy second 40 minutes.
"I suppose the second half was frustrating. Obviously it's quite dewy but there was probably a few too many handling errors for our liking, particularly in the opposition 22", Howley said. "Obviously to score ten tries we're happy."
Winger George North was replaced at half-time due to a hamstring complaint after scoring twice in the first period, but Howley said it was just a precaution.
"George's hamstring is quite tight so we decided to take him off, not risk him."
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