Maybe it is an indication that Wales are improving that this latest close victory over Japan was greeted with a shrug instead of euphoria.

A year ago, almost to the day, Steve Tandy, the Welsh head coach jumped around and hugged his staff, after a one-point win over the Brave Blossoms and there were reports of red-shirted fans in this stadium crying in joy and relief.

Yet that was Wales’s first home success in 10 Tests and, despite the form since hardly raising itself anywhere near levels of excellence, much more was expected on this occasion.

Yes, Tandy’s men prevailed and it was a huge positive to watch player-of-the match Louis Rees-Zammit in great nick on the wing. Nobody should overestimate the Bristol man’s display because the game knows that he can operate even better, but after this there can now be no doubt that he is a wing rather than a full-back.…