Lynn praises Wales' grit after 17-0 first Test win over Japan

Wales beat Japan 17-0 in the first Test, and head coach Sean Lynn praised his side’s resilience after they were reduced to 13 players late in a WXV contest in Kumagaya City.

Wales delivered a five-try performance and at one stage led 29-5 before replacements Keira Bevan and Hannah Dallavalle were yellow-carded within two minutes of each other, leaving the visitors to defend for the final 10 minutes as Japan mounted sustained attacks.

Lynn singled out the squad’s resolve in his post-match remarks. "We knew it was going to be another tough one," he said. "The grit we showed to go down to 13 players and just hold them out at the end, that for me is just a sign of how far this squad has come. "Everybody told me how amazing Japan is and for us to come away to win two Test matches is an amazing achievement from all players and staff. A huge pat on the back to everyone."

Co-captain Kate Williams also praised the team’s play and defensive effort, while acknowledging an area for improvement. "We were brave with the ball and I think that showed in the tries that we scored. We can be really pleased with our set piece as well. "Something that we need to continually work on is our discipline, but I'm really proud of the defensive effort, especially in that last 20 minutes with the two yellow cards."

The victory completed a Japan double and rounded off Wales’ WXV campaign, with the side securing three wins from four in the Global Series and recording back-to-back Test wins for the first time in more than two years after a season that left them unable to find wins at the same point last year.

Williams highlighted the squad balance and group cohesion in her post-match comments. "We've got a really exciting team playing for Wales at the minute," she said. "There's a really good mix of experience and young blood coming through and I'm really proud of all the girls who have stepped out onto the pitch, and also the girls who haven't made the 23, we've really galvanised as a group. "We want to keep playing brave and keep reinforcing our DNA as Welsh players."

Wales travel back from Japan on Sunday before players return to their Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) and Celtic Challenge clubs for the start of the domestic seasons; Lynn said he will "stay connected" with the players before bringing them back into camp early next year for Six Nations preparations, and Wales open their 2027 campaign at home to world champions England.