Wales Make Five Changes for Second Japan Test

Wales will field five changes for Saturday’s second WXV Test against Japan at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium. Head coach Sean Lynn adjusted the starting lineup to reward bench players for their impact during last week’s 17-0 victory in Tokyo, as the team targets back-to-back wins.

Lineup Adjustments and Strategic Shifts

Flanker Bethan Lewis earns her first start of the campaign following a strong performance as an impact player in the opening Test. Her promotion coincides with a positional move for co-captain Alex Callender, who shifts to number eight. Alongside Lewis, forwards Gwen Crabb and Gwenllian Pyrs move into the starting pack. In the backline, Lleucu George replaces Keira Bevan at fly-half to partner with Seren Lockwood, who scored two tries in Tokyo. The team remains committed to a bench configuration featuring six forwards and two backs, a structure Lynn has favored throughout the campaign.

The changes come as Wales seeks to build on a victory secured in testing conditions. We have made the changes to reward the players who finished the job in Tokyo, said head coach Sean Lynn. He noted that the squad’s ability to problem-solve during the first match was a key takeaway for the coaching staff. Despite the win, Lynn remains focused on the need for increased precision. 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, he added.

Injury Update for Freya Bell

Courtney Keight enters the starting side at centre to replace Freya Bell. According to the team, Bell is facing a significant period on the sidelines after sustaining a serious knee injury during the first Test. We are obviously disappointed with the injury to Freya Bell, but she will get the best care and we hope to see her back soon, Lynn stated.

Tournament Context and Team DNA

Wales enters the final match of the WXV campaign ranked 11th in the world, having moved ahead of Japan following their most recent win. The team previously recorded a victory over South Africa and a narrow loss to the USA. Lynn emphasizes that the current selection process reflects a core philosophy within the squad. The players know our DNA is ‘team first’. Competition for places drives standards and performances and will only help us improve and get better as a team, Lynn stated.

The match, scheduled for 07:00 GMT, will be overseen by referee Julianne Zussman of Rugby Canada. She will be supported by assistant referees Sunny Lee of the Hong Kong China Rugby and Hibiki Ikeda of the Japan Rugby Football Union. Matt Rodden of Hong Kong China Rugby will serve as the Television Match Official, with Koki Yamauchi of the Japan Rugby Football Union acting as the Foul Play Review Officer. The match serves as a crucial conclusion to the WXV tournament, with the squad looking to capitalize on their momentum before the conclusion of the international window.

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