Wales Women vs Japan: five changes as Lynn rewards bench ahead of Saturday’s WXV Test

Wales Women vs Japan: Sean Lynn has made five changes for Saturday’s second WXV Test, with kick-off at 7am GMT on 31 October at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium. UK viewers can watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Lleucu George takes over at fly-half, while Bethan Lewis makes her first start of the campaign as Wales look to follow their 17-0 victory in Tokyo with another win. The selection changes were reported by BBC Sport Wales, via AOL, on Thursday.

How to watch Wales Women vs Japan

The match starts at 7am GMT on Saturday 31 October 2026, which is 4pm in Japan. It takes place at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture, with the venue and local kick-off confirmed by the Japan Rugby Football Union.

BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app carry the UK coverage, according to Radio Times’ WXV broadcast guide. Supporters should look for Japan v Wales in the listings, with Japan hosting both matches in the series.

Wales Women vs Japan team news: George starts at fly-half

George replaces Keira Bevan at fly-half and partners Seren Lockwood, who scored twice in the first Test. Bevan moves to the replacements, giving Lynn an experienced option later in the match.

Courtney Keight starts at inside centre alongside Carys Cox, replacing Freya Bell following her knee injury in Tokyo.

Three changes come in the forwards. Gwenllian Pyrs starts at loosehead prop, Gwen Crabb joins Branwen Metcalfe in the second row and Lewis comes in at openside flanker. Alex Callender moves to number eight and continues to share the captaincy with Kate Williams.

Lynn linked his selection to the contribution of the replacements in the opening game.

“We have made the changes to reward the players who finished the job in Tokyo,” he said in comments carried by BBC Sport Wales on Thursday.

Wales starting XV and replacements

The matchday squad is listed below, with full names as published in RugbyPass’ team announcement report.

No.	Starting player
15	Lisa Neumann
14	Nel Metcalfe
13	Carys Cox
12	Courtney Keight
11	Amy Williams
10	Lleucu George
9	Seren Lockwood
1	Gwenllian Pyrs
2	Kelsey Jones
3	Sisilia Tuipulotu
4	Branwen Metcalfe
5	Gwen Crabb
6	Kate Williams (co-captain)
7	Bethan Lewis
8	Alex Callender (co-captain)

Replacements

No.	Player
16	Molly Reardon
17	Maisie Davies
18	Elan Jones
19	Jorja Aiono
20	Georgia Evans
21	Bryonie King
22	Keira Bevan
23	Jenna De Vera

What happened in the first Test?

Wales won 17-0 in Tokyo on 24 October, with Seren Lockwood scoring two tries and Kelsey Jones adding the other. Freya Bell kicked the conversion.

Lockwood’s opening try helped Wales take a 7-0 lead into half-time. Jones extended the advantage from a driving maul before Lockwood completed her double, finishing after a pass from George, as Herald.Wales reported.

Saturday gives Wales the chance to finish their four-match WXV campaign with three victories. They beat South Africa 50-19 and lost 26-24 to the United States in their two home fixtures, results recorded in the WRU’s first-Test preview, before travelling to Japan.

How does the WXV Global Series work?

The competition has changed for 2026. The leading 12 participating nations play cross-regional Tests through a home-and-away touring programme, while six other teams compete in a separately hosted Challenger competition.

World Rugby’s explanation of the new format sets out a September-to-October international window, with 36 Tests scheduled across the 2026 programme. It forms part of a longer calendar leading towards the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

For Wales, that programme has combined two matches at Cardiff Arms Park with two away Tests against the same opponent. Saturday is the final opportunity in this campaign to turn the experience gained across those fixtures into another result.

In the men’s Nations Championship, Wales host Japan at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 4.40pm GMT, according to the WRU’s schedule. Japan then visit Murrayfield to face Scotland on 21 November. Read our Josh McKay Scotland eligibility report for the background to his potential involvement.

Follow our rugby coverage for more international team news and match reports.

Wales Women vs Japan: your questions answered

What time is Wales Women vs Japan?

Kick-off is at 7am GMT on Saturday 31 October at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium. That is 4pm local time in Japan.

How can I watch Wales Women vs Japan?

The match is live in the UK on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Who is captaining Wales against Japan?

Alex Callender and Kate Williams are co-captains. Callender starts at number eight, with Williams at blindside flanker.