Defence coach Peter Murchie has emphasized the need for significant improvement as Wales prepares to resume their Nations Championship campaign against Japan this Saturday at 16:40 GMT.

Murchie, who joined Steve Tandy's backroom staff from the Japanese club Kobelco Kobe Steelers, is focusing on enhancing the defensive strategies after a mixed summer performance. In their last three outings, Wales secured a victory against Fiji but suffered defeats to Argentina and South Africa, notably missing over 100 tackles and conceding 16 tries.

Murchie expressed his expectations:

From my side in the summer, we can be much better. I wasn't happy with the defence overall, there's much more in us and improvements to be made.

He aims for Wales to be tougher to break down, emphasizing the players' ambition to deliver more consistent performances this November.

With a longer preparation period compared to his first campaign, Murchie feels more equipped to make an impact. He stated, "There is a much bigger lead-in than last time... We've had more time to build relationships and prepare this time around."

Wales has struggled under Tandy, securing only three wins in 12 Tests since November 2025. Murchie reiterated the team's goal:

We're here to win Test matches, we're not here to take part... We're also looking for consistency in our performance.

The upcoming match against Japan marks the fourth encounter in just 16 months. After a series draw in July 2025, Wales won the last meeting in Cardiff thanks to a last-minute penalty by Jarrod Evans. Murchie noted the challenges posed by Japan's evolving skill set and depth, highlighting their combination of speed and physicality.

Japan are a good team... We respect them, they're well-coached and well-drilled, so we'll need to be at our best.