Wales beat Japan 29-5 in Kumagaya to complete WXV double

Wales completed a WXV double over Japan with a 29-5 victory in Kumagaya City on 31 October 2026, scoring five tries to Japan's single score. Try-scorers were Nel Metcalfe, Kelsey Jones, Amy Williams (2) and Sisilia Tuipulotu, with Lleucu George converting twice.

The result came in the WXV Global Series and followed a 17-0 win by Wales in the opening Test of the double-header. The victory capped a turnaround for Sean Lynn’s side after a run of nine Tests without a win prior to the South Africa game. Japan remain without a win since May and are yet to record a victory under head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa.

Wales took the initiative early after Japan's loose goalline drop-out, Alex Callender carrying deep into the 22 and the ball eventually shipped to Nel Metcalfe to finish in the corner. Moe Nagaoka replied for Japan from a maul inside the opening 15 minutes, creating an early exchange of scores before Wales pulled ahead.

George’s kicking put pressure on Japan and Lisa Neumann won a turnover that allowed Kelsey Jones to touch down for her second try in as many games; George added the conversion. Wales’ maul proved a dominant platform in the first half, and Seren Lockwood later found Amy Williams in space on the wing to extend the visitors’ lead.

Japan’s indiscipline cost them early in the second half when Jennifer Nduka was sin-binned at 44 minutes for an accumulation of penalties, a period which Wales exploited as Sisilia Tuipulotu powered over from a metre to secure the try bonus point. Alex Callender, playing at eight, contributed strongly through the forwards before a sweeping backline move saw Callender feed Neumann, who released Williams for her second try.

Both teams emptied their benches soon after, but Wales were reduced to 13 players when replacements Keira Bevan and Hannah Dallavalle were both shown yellow cards in the final 10 minutes (Bevan 68 mins, Dallavalle 70 mins). Bevan had been penalised while Wales were already on a warning, and Dallavalle, making her first appearance in the competition, was sent to the sin bin for a blatant hair pull. Japan pressed in the closing minutes but could not convert their numerical advantage, and Callender produced a crucial turnover.

Japan: Imakugi; Tsunokawa, Langford, Kataoka, Havili Kagawa; Harada, Tsukui; Komaki, Nagaoka, Kitano, Kawamura, Sato, Asari, Jennifer, Bodman. Replacements: Kuge, Mine, Fuji, M Nishimura, Korai, Seo, Ito, S Nishimura. Sin bin: Nduka (44 mins).

Wales: Neumann; Nel Metcalfe, Cox, Keight, A Williams; George, Lockwood, Pyrs, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Crabb, K Williams (co-capt), Lewis, Callender (co-capt). Replacements: Reardon, Davies, E Jones, Aiono, Evans, Dallavalle, Bevan, De Vera. Sin bin: Bevan (68 mins), Dallavalle (70 mins). Assistants: Sunny Lee (HKCR), Hibiki Ikeda (JRFU).

Wales finish the Global Series with three wins, their only defeat coming against USA.