Wales beat Japan 17–0 in opening women’s rugby union Test

Wales beat Japan 17–0 in Tokyo on 24 October in the opening Test of their women’s rugby union series. The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that centre Freya Bell will miss the return Test on 31 October after injuring her knee.

Wales entered the series ranked 11th in the world after falling to a record low of 13th in September. The team had set a target of returning to the top six.

Welsh Rugby Union confirms Bell will miss return Test

Bell was stretchered off in the 53rd minute of the opening match after falling awkwardly in a tackle. Her absence from the second Test is confirmed, but the diagnosis remains unresolved.

The union said Bell is awaiting scan results and the full extent of her injury will be assessed after she returns home. She will remain in Japan and fly back with the squad on 1 November.

The return Test is scheduled for 31 October at 07:00 GMT at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya City. It will be Wales’s final international of 2026.

Lockwood’s tries and Wales’s reshuffle

Wind, rain and 90% humidity made the opening match difficult for both teams. Strong defence kept Japan scoreless, while Wales took their limited attacking chances. Seren Lockwood darted through for a first-half try to help Wales lead 7–0 at the break. Little separated the teams during the first hour, with Japan threatening to recover the deficit.

Wales coach Sean Lynn said he recognised around the 53rd or 54th minute that his team needed to play further up the field. Keira Bevan had struggled to gain ground with her kicking from fly-half, a key playmaking position. Lynn introduced Lleucu George there, moved Bevan back to scrum-half—the link between the forwards and the wider attack—and switched Lockwood from scrum-half to the wing.