Wales players have taken to social media to urge supporters to attend their Nations Championship fixtures, which resume on Saturday against Japan.

Bristol Bears’ Louis Rees-Zammit is among those making a public appeal under 48 hours before international rugby returns to Principality Stadium.

Wales last appeared here when they defeated Italy 31-17, ending a three-year Six Nations losing streak in an uplifting, spectacular victory.

However, it won’t be a happy return, as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) faces significant challenges filling Principality Stadium for its three home fixtures this month.

Following their contest against the Brave Blossoms, Steve Tandy’s side faces New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff.

But unlike previous years, long before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, tens of thousands of tickets still appear to be available through its official ticketing website.

‘SUPPORT THE BOYS’

And with the tricky opening contest against Eddie Jones’ side to come, Wales players have used their own social media platforms to encourage supporters to get behind them.

Rees-Zammit, who will win his 44th cap against Japan, shared a link to the ticketing page alongside a simple message to supporters: “SUPPORT THE BOYS”.

It’s a short but telling appeal ahead of the fixture, as the WRU hopes to attract healthy crowds to the Welsh capital.

Tandy has selected 12 English-based players for his 23-player squad for Saturday’s contest, and the 45-year-old highlighted some benefits of competing in the Gallagher PREM.

He accepted that there are negatives to having players play outside Wales, but said that ‘some are playing in front of full stadiums every week’.

Obviously, that won’t be the case for those players on international duty this November.

The WRU has been working hard in recent weeks to shift tickets, including promotions aimed at different segments of the public.

It’s proving a tougher sell than pineapple on pizza or asking a rugby player to swap their post-match pint for a squash.

Reduced prices are available for families, and additional U18s were released this week after the initial lower-tier allocation sold out.

The challenge, however, extends beyond Saturday’s meeting with Japan. At the time of checking, 48 hours before kick-off, almost 15,000 tickets were listed as available.

Almost a further 44,000 were still available for the fixtures against the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

Do treat this damning figure as a snapshot of the website’s availability, not confirmed unsold seats. Some sections at Principality Stadium have not even gone on sale.

The fixture against Australia has proved particularly difficult to sell, with the late 20:10 kick-off potentially making it harder.

Wider implications

There are, of course, plenty of wider financial implications, too. This follows the WRU's recent report of an £18m annual loss.

Further financial pressure is expected, with only two home Six Nations matches and no November Tests next year due to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The WRU is also attempting to reshape the professional game and move from four to three regions.

Matchday revenue remains an important part of the financial picture, making strong attendances at Principality Stadium particularly valuable.

For years, Wales enjoyed fabulous support in Cardiff, with Principality Stadium delivering one of rugby's most recognisable atmospheres.

But that exact stadium has lost its voice. Against France in February, the boisterous travelling support made Principality Stadium sound more like the Stade de France.

The same happened last November against South Africa and against England in the 2025 Six Nations.

It’s been a difficult period for the national team: three successive wooden spoons and a handful of triumphs since the 2023 World Cup; any displeasure at watching Tandy’s side is understandable.

The appeal from Rees-Zammit and the rest of the Welsh squad comes at a time when the WRU needs supporters to reconnect with the national side.

While players can encourage people to buy tickets, on-pitch performances will ultimately determine how many supporters make the journey to Cardiff.

Tandy and his players have the hardest job: turning words into action and giving supporters plenty of reasons to return.