Wales makes five changes for WXV rematch against Japan

Wales made five starting changes for Saturday's second WXV Test against Japan. Flanker Bethan Lewis received her first start of the campaign, having been one of Wales' impressive impact players in last weekend's 17-0 victory in Tokyo, with co-captain Alex Callender moving to number eight. Gwen Crabb and Gwenllian Pyrs were also promoted from the bench to join the pack, while Lleucu George was preferred to Keira Bevan at fly-half. George partnered Seren Lockwood, who crossed for two tries last weekend, as Wales sought back-to-back wins at 07:00 GMT.

Courtney Keight came in for centre Freya Bell, who looks set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering a serious knee injury in the opening Test. Head coach Sean Lynn opted again for six forwards and two backs on the bench. "We have made the changes to reward the players who finished the job in Tokyo," Lynn said. Wales looked to finish their WXV campaign on a high at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, having previously beaten Japan and South Africa and narrowly lost to the USA. They were ranked 11th in the world after overtaking Saturday's opponents with last week's victory.

Lynn emphasized his team's "team first" DNA. "Competition for places drives standards and performances and will only help us improve and get better as a team," he added. "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."

Wales had made hard work of their victory last weekend in testing conditions. "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," Lynn noted. "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."

How they line up
Wales: Neumann; N Metcalfe, Cox, Keight, A Williams; George, Lockwood, Pyrs, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Crabb, K Williams (co-capt), Lewis, Callender (co-capt).
Replacements: Reardon, Davies, E Jones, Aiono, Evans, King, Bevan, De Vera.
Officials
Referee: Julianne Zussman (RC)
Assistants: Sunny Lee (HKCR), Hibiki Ikeda (JRFU)
TMO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)
FPRO: Koki Yamauchi (JRFU)