Talking points: Wales end WXV Global Series with Japan clean sweep

Wales have completed an impressive WXV Global Series campaign, prevailing 29-5 over Japan to take a 2-0 series victory and finish 2026 on a high.

Expecting a strong reply from the Sakura Fifteen after a 17-0 win last week in Tokyo, the Welsh had to dig deep defensively, completing the closing stages of the match with just 13 players.

The hosts with a vastly improved set piece performance, achieving parity with the Welsh at the scrum and lineout in a tense opening half hour, with Moe Nagaoka scoring her side’s first points of the series.

However, the visitors’ maul proved a valuable weapon, with a double to winger Amy Williams plus tries to fellow winger Net Metcalfe and front row forwards Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipolutu seeing the visitors outscore the hosts five tries to one to ultimately win comfortably.

Here are some talking points from Kumagaya Rugby Ground…

Set piece improvements for Sakura Fifteen

The first clash in Tokyo saw two late tries that proved the difference, a double to Seren Lockwood benefitting off the back of a strong Welsh set piece, who milked four penalties out of the Japanese scrum and stole two lineouts, while their backs dominated the kicking game.

With Lockwood catching the Japanese out of position around the ruck with her first try, the Welsh were also rewarded with a try to their maul – setting the stage for how Japan would respond to the set piece challenge in Kumagaya.

In the rematch, the Sakura Fifteen’ scrum being more competitive and matching the Welsh, and while the visitors managed to nab one scrum penalty, the hosts returned fire with a lineout penalty, also pinching one throw for their troubles.

With the forward pack contest a more even affair, the match became a case of who would take their chances through the weapons available – and whose defence would hold out.

Defence the difference

Wales co-captain Katie Williams praised her side’s ability to be brave with the ball and set piece during the clash, and while the Welsh found success in the backline, it was ultimately defence that won the day for the visitors.

After a tense opening 20 minutes that saw the score at 7-5, the Welsh steadied the ship through their ever reliable maul, with Kelsey Jones scoring her 50th point in the scarlet jersey.

The maul would ultimately be the visitor’s best attacking weapon, laying the platform again for the most crucial score of the game one minute out from half time, winger Amy Williams the benefactor on the blindside to see the score 19-5 at the break.

The Welsh would score two more tries in the second half to secure some breathing space, but the Japanese were still finding plenty of go forward, making it into the Welsh 22 seven times across the match and managing nearly 70 per cent possession in the second half.

However, even with the hosts dominating possession and territory in the final 15 minutes, the defence from Wales ultimately won the game, despite their discipline costing them Bryonie King and Keira Bevan to the bin for the final 10 minutes.

Ultimately, it felt like a similar situation to last week, with the Japanese unable to convert the chances they had both due to execution and decent defence, with Welsh grit ultimately shining through to deny the hosts a second try and chance to get back in the game.

Curtain falls on contrasting WXV Global Series campaigns

The results from tonight bring the curtain down on both sides’ respective international seasons, and while both sides will end 2026 with an unfavourable win-loss record, there is plenty to suggest both sides have made notable strides forward.

After winning just one test match in 2025 and enduring a winless 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign, Sean Lynn’s Wales will finish the WXV Global Series on a notably brighter note, their big win over South Africa and this series sweep against Japan showing signs of a side gaining confidence.

Even their 26-24 loss to the higher ranked United States showed promise, giving Lynn and his team four decent performances in the WXV Global Series that they can build on heading into 2027.

For Japan, results have been harder to come by outside of several big wins in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship to start off the year – tonight’s loss marking their sixth consecutive defeat.

The side showed promise during the WXV Global Series, with their clashes against Ireland and Fiji showcasing a team that could push higher ranked sides all the way on their day.

However, wins are the ultimate indication of success, and to finish the WXV with none, especially not picking up at least one win in the two-test home series against Wales, is a frustrating end to the season.

Regardless, promise is there as the team looks ahead to 2027. Should they translate that promise into wins, the Japanese program can take confidence they’re heading in the right direction as they look towards to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.