Wales set for return to Japan in addition to summer tour of New Zealand

Wales will make a swift return to Japan as part of their 2020 summer tour, the Welsh Rugby Union has announced.

Wales will face the Brave Blossoms at the end of June at a venue still to be announced, before going on to play two Test matches in New Zealand.

The Welsh spent eight weeks in Japan last year where they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

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After playing the Japanese on June 27, Wales will take on the All Blacks in Auckland on July 4 and Wellington on July 11.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “Going back to Japan for Wales will be a really big fixture on the back of a really successful Rugby World Cup for Japan as hosts both on and off the field.

“The squad and Welsh Rugby Union made a huge impression on the country in the lead up to and during the World Cup and attracted a lot of local support so it will be great to take the squad back to Japan for the first summer test.”

With so many big names in Japan this year, the #TopLeague could challenge @SuperRugby for star power and excitement in 2020https://t.co/pwt61JXo3M

— Alex McLeod (@alexmcleod891) January 10, 2020

The late fixture addition adds to a growing June/July test window for international sides around the world.

Joining Wales in touring New Zealand are Scotland, who will face the All Blacks in a one-off test in Dunedin on July 18.

Prior that, the Scots will face South Africa in a two-test series in two locations of which are yet to be determined.

Additionally, the world champion Springboks will host Georgia for the first time ever on the same weekend that the All Blacks face Scotland.

Elsewhere, the Wallabies will face Ireland in a two-match series in Brisbane and Sydney before hosting Fiji in a one-off fixture throughout July, while Argentina will host France for two tests before taking on Italy on July 18.

Wales won’t be the only nation to tour Japan this year, as England will make a first-ever trip to the Far East for a two-test series against Jamie Joseph’s men following their run to the World Cup final in Japan last year.

– With Press Association

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