Metcalfe named in Wales squad for WXV double-header in Japan
Nel Metcalfe has been included in Sean Lynn's 30-player Wales squad for the WXV double-header in Japan, with matches scheduled on Saturday, 24 October and again seven days later, the 21-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury full-back having recovered from the knee injury that ruled her out of the 2026 Women's Six Nations.
Metcalfe, who shone for Wales despite their disappointment at the 2025 World Cup in England, had been part of Lynn's extended training squad for the WXV win against South Africa and the subsequent defeat by the United States but did not make the matchday selections on either occasion. Her rehabilitation included an uncapped appearance for Wales against the Barbarians in June.
Two uncapped props, Stella Orrin and Crystal James, are included in the party, and the squad will also include wing Amy Williams, prop Elan Jones and hooker Shanelle Williams, all of whom made their Wales debuts in September and will travel to Japan. Jaz and Alisha Joyce were omitted from the selection and wing Seren Singleton, who featured in the South Africa win, is not in the squad.
Lynn said: "This was a tough selection process after our performances against South Africa and USA, we asked the players to move the dial, and we did that in those two Test matches. "We scored eight tries against South Africa and the disappointment of the players with the two-point deficit against USA, a team ranked sixth in the world, demonstrated the shift in mindset we need. "All the hard work the players, coaches and staff put in across pre-season was there for all to see and we laid some real foundations in how we want to play and the team's identity. "We know we have a long way to go before we become the team, we want to be but the tour to play the Sakura XV in Japan is an exciting challenge for us all."
The 30-strong squad named by Lynn is: Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Crystal James (Ealing Trailfinders), Shanelle Williams (Brython Thunder), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Kelsey Jones (Sale Sharks), Elan Jones (Brython Thunder), Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder), Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Alex Callender (Co-captain, Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Kate Williams (Co-captain, Gloucester-Hartpury), Jorja Aiono (Gloucester-Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Bristol Bears). Backs: Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder), Sian Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning), Jenna De Vera (Brython Thunder), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester-Hartpury), Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning), Amy Williams (Brython Thunder), Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury).
Wales will play Japan at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo on Saturday, 24 October (10:30 BST) and meet the hosts again at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture seven days later (07:00 GMT).