women
international women
Wales boss Sean Lynn has named a 30-man squad for the tour Japan in October as part of the WXV Global Series.
Nell Metcalfe, who missed out on Guinness Women’s 2026 Six Nations with an injury, he returned to the lineup. The Gloucester Hartpury full-back has not played for Wales since the team’s defeat to Fiji in women Rugby World Cup in 2025
The team will continue to be co-captained by back row Alex Callender and Kate Williams. Uncapped forwards Stella Orrin and Crystal James have been named in the squad.
Amy Williams, Elan Jones and Shanelle Williams – who all made their debuts in Wales’ 50-19 win against South Africa September â are also included in the Lynn team.
In their other house WXV Global Series game, Wales narrowly lost 26-24 USA Eagles Women at Cardiff Arms Park.
The Sakura Fifteen (12) are currently one place behind Wales (11) in the world rugby rankings.
Japan has played two WXV Global Series matches in the last month and lost to Italy and Ireland. Last weekend they played a game outside the window Ireland in Cork and lost 43-19.
Sean Lynn, head coach of Wales, said: âThis was a tough selection process after our performances against South Africa and the USA, we asked the players to move the dial, and we did that in those two Test matches.
âWe scored eight tries against South Africa and the disappointment of the players from two points behind against USA, the sixth team in the world, showed the change in mindset that we need.
âAll the hard work the players, coaches and staff have put in during pre-season has been there for all to see and we’ve laid some real foundations in the way 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 Sakura Fifteen tour in Japan is an exciting challenge for all of us.”
Wales national team on tour to Japan | WXV Global Series 2026
Strikers: Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Crystal James (Trailfinders Women), 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 Georgia Thunder), Brython Georgia Thunder (Brython Georgia Thunder) 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)
back: 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 Dalss (Women), Carys Handers (Women) (Gloucester Hartpury), Nikita Protero (Gwalia Lightning), Amy Williams (Brython Thunder), Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers), Nell Metcalfe (Gloucester Hartpury)
Schedule in Wales in October
- Japan v Wales, Saturday 24 October, 10.30am KO
- Japan v Wales Saturday 31 October 7am KO
