The long wait for a win is over for Welsh rugby as Dewi Lake’s side squared the series in Japan with a 31-22 triumph in Kobe.
There were four tries, two of them from scrum half Kieran Hardy, and 16 points from his Ospreys half back partner Dan Edwards, as the 18 match losing streak was brought to an end.
For many of the side it was their first win in a Welsh shirt and it provided interim head coach Matt Sherratt with his first taste of victory in his fifth game in charge. He had said pre-match that it wasn’t about ending a losing run, but kick-starting a new era for his Welsh team and this win was just the shot in the arm the game in Wales needed.
After losing the opening game in Kitakyushu 24-19 last weekend Sherratt made four changes to his starting XV. Among those changes were Dragons RFC ace Aaron Wainwright, who shone at No 8, and Edwards, making his first start for Wales at outside half.
There were also three new caps off the bench, all of who played their part. Keelan Giles was a half time replacement for Josh Adams, Dragons RFC star Chris Coleman came on at tight head prop and Reuben Morgan-Williams, who took over from injured centre Johnny Williams.
