Wales Women Defeat Japan to Conclude Successful WXV Campaign

Wales Secure Five-Try Victory in Kumagaya City

Wales head coach Sean Lynn has praised the resilience of his squad after they secured a 29-5 victory against Japan in the WXV Global Series. Despite being reduced to 13 players in the final stages of the match, Wales successfully defended their try line against sustained pressure from the hosts.

The touring side established a comfortable 29-5 lead before a challenging conclusion to the game in Kumagaya City. Replacements Keira Bevan and Hannah Dallavalle received yellow cards within two minutes of each other, forcing the team to defend with a two-player disadvantage for the final 10 minutes.

Coach and Captain Highlight Defensive Grit

Reflecting on the match and the broader tour, Lynn emphasized the significance of the defensive effort under pressure:

• "The grit we showed to go down to 13 players and just hold them out at the end, that for me is just a sign of how far this squad has come."
• "For us to come away to win two Test matches is an amazing achievement from all players and staff."

Co-captain Kate Williams shared similar sentiments regarding the team's performance throughout the series, noting the balance between attacking ambition and defensive resolve.

• "We were brave with the ball and I think that showed in the tries that we scored."
• "Something that we need to continually work on is our discipline, but I'm really proud of the defensive effort, especially in that last 20 minutes with the two yellow cards."

Conclusion of the WXV Campaign

The victory rounds off a positive period for Welsh women's rugby, securing three wins from four matches in the Global Series and achieving back-to-back Test wins for the first time in over two years. Williams pointed to the blend of youth and experience within the squad as a driving factor for their recent progress.

The team is scheduled to return to Wales on Sunday. Players will subsequently rejoin their respective Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) and Celtic Challenge clubs for the domestic season. Preparations for the upcoming international fixtures are set to resume early next year, with Wales scheduled to open their campaign against England.

Verification and Further Details

Readers interested in verifying the original announcements, match statistics, and subsequent tournament updates can consult official rugby union portals, BBC Sport rugby coverage, or the Welsh Rugby Union's official announcements.