Amy Williams scores twice as Wales beat Japan 29-5 to close WXV campaign

Wales finished their WXV Global Series campaign with a 29-5 victory over Japan in Kumagaya City, with Amy Williams scoring twice as the visitors completed a sweep of their two meetings. BBC Sport reported that Wales scored five tries and kept Japan scoreless after the interval, despite ending the contest with two players in the sin bin.

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The result followed Wales' 17-0 win in the opening Test and gave Sean Lynn's team three victories in the competition, with their only loss coming against the United States. According to the BBC's report, Wales had gone nine Tests without a victory before beating South Africa. The Japan results also brought their first successive Test wins since June 2024.

Nel Metcalfe scored Wales' opening try after a loose Japanese goal-line dropout allowed Alex Callender to carry the ball back into attacking territory. Sisilia Tuipulotu threatened the line before Wales moved possession wide for Metcalfe to finish. Lleucu George converted, but Japan responded through hooker Moe Nagaoka, who scored from a maul during a spell of pressure helped by Welsh penalties.

Wales regained control through their forwards. A George kick put Japan under pressure and Lisa Neumann secured a turnover, before Kelsey Jones finished from a lineout for her second try in as many games. George added another conversion. The maul then created the platform for Seren Lockwood to release Williams, whose first try helped Wales reach half-time with a 19-5 advantage.

Japan's task became harder after the break when Jennifer Nduka was shown a yellow card following repeated team infringements. Tuipulotu scored from close range to secure Wales' fourth try and the bonus point. Williams subsequently added her second after Callender sent a long pass towards Neumann, who supplied the winger to complete another Welsh attack.

The visitors had to defend their lead with reduced numbers late on. Replacement Keira Bevan was sin-binned after Wales had received a warning, and Hannah Dallavalle was also shown yellow for pulling hair. Japan could not turn that advantage into points, with Callender winning an important turnover in the closing stages. The hosts remain without a victory since May and are still seeking their first win under head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa.