Wales women's rugby team will look to complete a double over Japan in the WXV Global Series on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture. Kick-off is at 07:00 GMT. Wales, ranked 11th in the world, one place above Japan, secured a 17-0 victory in Tokyo last weekend, their first clean sheet in eight years.
Head coach Sean Lynn insists his side will not underestimate the Sakura Fifteen despite the comfortable win. "We were wary about them last Saturday and we see no difference this week," Lynn said. "Japan are very efficient, very regimented. Some of their defensive displays were very good and they're a hard side to break down." Japan have not won since May but pushed Ireland close in two recent Tests.
A win would give Wales back-to-back Test victories for the first time since June 2024 and mark further progress after a nine-match winless run earlier in the year. Lynn has made five starting changes, rewarding bench players who impressed in Tokyo. Bethan Lewis, Gwenllian Pyrs, Lleucu George, Gwen Crabb and Courtney Keight return to the starting XV, with Keight replacing the injured Freya Bell. Co-captain Alex Callender moves to number eight.
Japan have made three changes, including Komachi Imakugi at full-back and Mele Yua Havili Kagawa on the wing. Flanker Nduka Jennier is the only pack alteration. Captain Moe Tsukui will lead the side at scrum-half.
Wales co-captain Alex Callender acknowledged frustration after the first Test but said nilling Japan away from home was "a pretty good scoreline." She added: "We know that Japan will be wounded and that they'll be coming out for 80 minutes again. It's about backing up the win but also putting in a better performance."
