Wales they finished impressively WXV Global Series campaign, prevailing 29-5 Japan take the series 2-0 and end 2026 on a high.
Expecting a strong response from Sakura Fifteen after a 17-0 win in Tokyo last week, the Welsh were forced to dig deep in defence, ending the final stages of the match with just 13 men.
The hosts with a much improved performance in sets, achieving parity with the Welsh in match and set in a tense opening half hour, with Moe Nagaoka scoring her side’s first points in a row.
However, the visitors’ goal proved a valuable weapon, with double winger Amy Williams plus tries from fellow Net Metcalfe and frontline forwards Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipoluta seeing the visitors outscore the hosts five to one to eventually win comfortably.
Here are some talking points from Kumagaya Rugby Ground…
A set of enhancements for Sakura Fifteen
In the first clash in Tokyo it was two late tries that proved the difference, a double from Seren Lockwood using the back of a strong Welsh set, who milked four penalties from the Japanese scrum and stole two lines as their backs dominated the footy.
While Lockwood caught the Japanese out of position at her first try, the Welsh were also rewarded with a try to break away from them – setting the stage for how Japan would respond to the set piece challenge in Kumagaya.
In the second leg, the Sakura Fifteen scrum was more competitive and matched the Welsh, and while the visitors managed to score a scrum penalty, the home side hit back with a line penalty, also having a disposal for their trouble.
With the pack competing more evenly up front, the match became a case of who would capitalize on their chances through the weapons available – and whose defense would hold up.
Defend the difference
Wales co-captain Katie Williams praised her side’s ability to be brave with the ball and set pieces throughout the clash, and while the Welsh women thrived in the back line, it was ultimately the defense that got the better of the visitors.
After a tense opening 20 minutes when the score was 7-5, the Welsh women steadied the ship with their ever-reliable strike, with Kelsey Jones scoring her 50th point in a scarlet jersey.
Maul would ultimately prove to be the visitors’ best attacking weapon, again setting the stage for the game’s most important score a minute after half-time, wing Amy Williams a blindside benefactor to see it 19-5 at the break.
The Welsh would score two more tries in the second half to ensure some breathing space, but the Japanese continued to find plenty going forward, getting inside the Welsh 22 seven times during the match and enjoying almost 70 per cent of the possession in the second half.
However, even as the hosts dominated possession and territory in the final 15 minutes, Wales’ defense ultimately won the game, despite their discipline costing them Bryonie King and Keira Bevan in the bin in the final 10 minutes.
In the end, it felt similar to last week, with the Japanese unable to capitalize on the chances they had due to execution and decent defending, while Welsh courage shone through in the end to deny the hosts a second try and a chance to get back into the game.
The curtain falls on the WXV Global Series’ contrasting campaigns
Tonight’s results bring the curtain down on international seasons for both sides, and while both sides will end 2026 with unfavorable win-loss records, there is plenty to suggest both sides have made notable strides forward.
After winning just one Test match in 2025 and winless in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Tournament. Six Nations The campaign, Sean Lynn’s Wales will end the WXV Global Series on a much brighter note, with their big win over South Africa and this series against Japan shows signs of a side gaining confidence.
Even their 26-24 loss to the top-ranked United States showed promise, giving Lynn and his team four decent appearances in the WXV Global Series to build on until 2027.
Results have been harder to come by for Japan other than a couple of big wins in the Asian Women’s Rugby Championship to start the year – tonight’s loss marked their sixth straight loss.
The side showed promise during the WXV Global Series, with their clashes against Ireland and Fiji showing a team that could push higher ranked sides for the rest of their day.
However, wins are the ultimate indicator of success and to end the WXV without one, especially not to get at least one win in the two-Test series at home to Wales, is a frustrating end to the season.
Regardless, the promise is there as the team looks ahead to 2027. If they can translate that promise into wins, the Japanese program can be confident they’re headed in the right direction as they look toward the women’s Rugby World Cup 2029
