Wales name changed line-up for Japan Test as Keira Bevan drops to bench

Wales head coach Sean Lynn has made five changes to his starting XV as Wales aim for back-to-back wins for the first time since 2023.

Last time out, Wales were 17-0 winners against Japan in Tokyo and a win this weekend in their second Test against the Sakura Fifteen

Alex Callender and Kate Williams continue to captain the side from the back-row, although Callender will start this fixture at No. 8. Bethan Lewis starts at openside flanker.

Elsewhere in the pack, Gwenllian Pyrs starts ahead of Maisie Adams at loosehead prop. Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu continue in the front-row. Gwen Crabb is drafted in at lock forward to partner Branwen Metcalfe.

Courtney Keight is installed at inside centre after Freya Bell was ruled out of the fixture with a knee injury. The Sale Sharks back partners Carys Cox in the midfield.

It is at half-back where Lynn has made his biggest call. Lleucu George is named at fly-half, where she partners scrum-half Seren Lockwood. Keira Bevan is named among the replacements and can cover both positions.

Sean Lynn, Wales head coach, said: “We have made the changes to reward the players who finished the job in Tokyo, and they deserve the opportunity to start for their country for our final Test match of 2026.

“The players know our DNA is team first and competition for places drives standards and performances and will only help us improve and get better as a team.

“We are obviously disappointed with the injury to Freya Bell, but she will get the best care and supervision by the WRU staff, and we hope to see her back soon.

“We found a way in the first Test in Tokyo and the way the players problem-solved during the game was key for all the coaches.

“But we know we have to be much more accurate and produce a consistent 80-minute performance to beat a resilient Japan side that we know will be hurting.

“We need to back up what we achieved in the first Test and sign off the 11-week block we have been together and this WXV campaign on a high in Kumagaya.”

Wales matchday 23 v Japan | WXV Global Series 2026

15 Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers) 55 caps, 35points
14 Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester Hartpury) 17 caps, 20 points
13 Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders) 28 caps, 30 points
12 Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks) 36 caps, five points
11 Amy Williams (Brython Thunder) Three caps
10 Lleucu George (Gloucester Hartpury) 43 caps, 15 points
9 Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder) 11 caps, 20 points
1 Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks) 57 caps, 20 points
2 Kelsey Jones (Sale Sharks) 60 caps, 45 points
3 Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins) 39 caps, 45 points
4 Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder) nine caps
5 Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder) 45 caps, 15 points
6 Kate Williams (co-captain, Gloucester Hartpury) 29 caps, 25 points
7 Bethan Lewis (Bristol Bears) 67 caps, 35 points
8 Alex Callender (co-captain, Harlequins) 50 caps, 50 points

Replacements
16 Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning) 19 caps, 10 points
17 Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs) 20 caps, five points
18 Elan Jones (Brython Thunder) two caps
19 Jorja Aiono (Gloucester Hartpury) Eight caps
20 Georgia Evans (Saracens) 51 caps, 15 points
21 Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning) 20 caps
22 Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears) 86 caps, 167 points
23 Jenna De Vera (Brython Thunder) three caps