Wales head coach Sean Lynn has warned that no starting position is guaranteed for Saturday's second WXV Test against Japan in Kumagaya, despite a 17-0 victory in the opening match last weekend.
Lynn said the team lacked "ball toughness" in Tokyo and credited the bench — including Gwenllian Pyrs, Bethan Lewis, Gwen Crabb, Lleucu George and Georgia Evans — for securing the win. He emphasized rewarding players who take opportunities and fostering a competitive squad of 30 players.
Lynn will announce his team at 08:00 GMT on Thursday. The match kicks off at 07:00 GMT on Saturday, 31 October at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture. It will be Wales' final outing of 2026, with a chance to finish the WXV campaign with three wins from four matches, having already beaten South Africa and Japan.
A victory would provide momentum heading into the 2027 Women's Six Nations, where Wales open at home against England and have not won a championship game since beating Italy in the final round of the 2024 edition. The summer's transformation, sparked by a friendly win over the Barbarians, has lifted Wales to 11th in the world rankings.
Lynn believes Wales are back on the radar of other nations, citing a narrow two-point loss to the USA, who have won five consecutive matches. He insists the focus remains on controlling their own performance.
