Wales aim to cap 2026 revival with Japan double
Wales will try to complete a Test double over Japan on Saturday and finish the international year with a second consecutive win. A victory would mark further progress under coach Sean Lynn after Wales went nine Tests without winning, although it would not lift them back into the world’s top 10.
Wales won 17-0 in Tokyo last weekend, keeping Japan scoreless for the first time in eight years, and have two wins from three in the WXV Global Series. Lynn has made five changes to the starting side, bringing in Bethan Lewis, Gwenllian Pyrs, Lleucu George, Gwen Crabb and Courtney Keight; Japan have made three changes. Wales have won all three previous Tests against Japan, while Saturday’s win would give them back-to-back Test victories for the first time since June 2024.
In short
- Wales seek a second win over Japan in a week.
- Their 17-0 victory in Tokyo ended an eight-year wait for a clean sheet.
- Another win would be their first back-to-back Test victories since June 2024.
Explained simply
Wales and Japan have national women’s rugby teams that meet in Test matches, the international game’s term for fixtures between countries. Wales are rebuilding under coach Sean Lynn after a run of nine Tests without a win, and are seeking to establish more consistent results.
The WXV Global Series is an international competition for women’s teams. Wales have won two of their three matches in this series; their record against Japan includes three wins from three previous Tests. Results matter for the teams’ standing in international rugby, though a win over Japan would not by itself return Wales to the world’s top 10.