Wales grind out 17-0 win in Tokyo as they chase return to top six
Wales defeated Japan 17-0 in Tokyo in the opening Test of their two-Test series, a result reported on 24 October 2026. The victory was achieved without their best rugby on display, but the team added an ability to "win ugly" that coaches say will be necessary for their planned return to the world’s top six.
Wales are currently ranked 11th in the world after falling to an all-time low of 13th in September and had set an intention of returning to the top six before the Japan series. The squad produced an eight-try victory over South Africa in Cardiff last month, yet their previous Test win before that dated to the summer tour of Australia in 2025, making recent results an important run of momentum. Head coach Sean Lynn has described the campaign as a period of rebuilding, with the group beginning to accumulate confidence and wins.
The match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium was played in testing conditions — wind, rain and 90% humidity — and became an 80-minute contest of attrition in which Wales relied on defence and discipline to keep a clean sheet. "Coming away to Japan was always going to be tough," Wales co-captain Kate Williams said. "I'm really proud of the way we dug in, stuck to our processes and in the second half we could show what we're really about. We problem solved and figured out other ways to get into the game."
Tactical changes shifted the momentum: Keira Bevan began at 10 but struggled to gain territory with her kicking, prompting Lynn to bring on Lleucu George while moving Bevan to scrum-half and shifting Seren Lockwood to the wing. George's kicking helped restore field position and the introductions of Gwenllian Pyrs, Bethan Lewis, Gwen Crabb and Georgia Evans from the bench provided a pivotal forward impact.
Lynn reflected on the turning point after the match: "It was a good result. Going in at 7-0 we knew there were areas that we needed to improve and I could see on the 53/54-minute mark that we needed some more territory. The girls, all 23 of the squad, were outstanding, and I thought the bench made a really big impact which was really good to see." Co-captain Williams received the player-of-the-match plaudits.
Teenage back Seren Lockwood scored twice, reinforcing her emergence as a major prospect for Wales; the 19-year-old was named the 2026 Welsh Rugby Writers' Association women's young player of the year. Lockwood started the game at nine but adapted to the wing in the second half, producing a first-half snipe and a second try using pace and power. She made her senior Wales debut against Australia in 2025.
Wales suffered an injury blow when centre Freya Bell fell awkwardly in a tackle on 53 minutes and was carried off with a serious-looking knee injury; Lynn said she had gone for a scan and an update was expected early next week. The squad began the year with a Six Nations wooden spoon but, after a June friendly win over the Barbarians, could finish the second half of the year with four wins from five as Lynn continues to build squad depth and introduce young talent while results follow.
Wales will play their final international fixture of 2026 on Saturday when they meet Japan again in Kumagaya City (07:00 GMT). "I'm excited to come out for another round next week," Williams said. "We're really evenly-fought teams and they are a tough opposition."