Wales defeats Japan 24-10, secures second place in WXV Global Series

Wales took charge of their WXV Global Series clash with Japan on Tuesday in Tokyo, leading 12‑3 at the break and pulling away to a 24‑10 victory by the final whistle. The win marked Wales’ second‑place finish in the tournament’s first‑tier pool, while the hosts were left to regroup after a disappointing start to the series.

The match was the second test of the inaugural WXV Global Series, a three‑tier competition launched by World Rugby to give women’s teams more regular, high‑quality fixtures. Wales entered the game on the back of a narrow loss to South Africa, needing a win to stay in contention for a top‑four finish that would secure a place in next year’s WXV 1. Japan, playing at home for the first time in the series, hoped to use the home crowd to spark a revival after a heavy defeat to New Zealand in the opening round.

Wales’ control came from a disciplined forward pack and a sharp back‑line that exploited gaps in Japan’s defense. Prop Elinor Jones broke through for the opening try, and fly‑half Megan Davies added two penalties and a conversion before slotting a decisive drop goal in the second half. Japan’s lone try came from winger Haruka Tanaka, but the Welsh defence held firm. After the match, Wales coach Rhys Morgan praised his side’s “clinical execution” and said the performance “sets a benchmark for the rest of the season.” Japan’s coach, Ayako Sato, acknowledged the gap in experience and vowed to “learn fast and come back stronger.”

The result leaves Wales in a strong position to challenge for a top‑four slot when the final round of the WXV Global Series begins in March 2027. A win against Italy in the next pool game could lock them into WXV 1 for the following year, while Japan must win both remaining matches to avoid relegation to the second tier. Both teams will now turn to their training camps, with Wales looking to fine‑tune set‑piece play and Japan focusing on defensive cohesion ahead of the decisive fixtures.