Rugby World Cup 2019: Wales' unique technique to combat Japan humidity

Japanese weather has been a massive talking point ahead of the Rugby World Cup and Wales coach Warren Gatland is using unorthodox methods to prepare for humid conditions.

Gatland feels that ball-retention and errors could be factors in games where temperatures will be about 30 degrees, while humidity will be between 80-90 percent. 

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To prepare for that, Wales have been dousing rugby balls in baby oil, as they prepare for their tournament opener against Georgia in Tokyo City on Monday.

"We've been using wet balls and been using baby oil on them as well," said Gatland.

"We've taped them up as well and we've already been through that process in the [training] camps we had."

Gatland also feels that their two training camps in Switzerland and Turkey will serve them well.

"We've been to two camps where one was altitude, and it was very hot in Switzerland and high 30s in Turkey. We've done as much as we possibly can in terms of dealing with the heat.

"I think the humidity is going to be a factor, but with the later kick-offs, those temperatures are going to drop to about 20 degrees.

"It's going to be a lot cooler, but the challenge then is going to be the humidity and dealing with a slippery ball."

Wales also face Australia, Fiji and Uruguay during pool play.

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