Wales head coach Sean Lynn has issued a clear message to his squad that no player is guaranteed a starting position as they prepare for their second WXV Test against Japan this coming Saturday in the Saitama Prefecture.
The upcoming fixture at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium marks the final outing of the calendar year for the Welsh side. Lynn is expected to finalise and announce his team selection for the encounter at 08:00 GMT on Thursday morning.
Although Wales managed to secure a 17-0 victory over Japan in Tokyo last weekend, Lynn expressed reservations regarding the overall performance. He specifically highlighted a lack of what he described as "ball toughness" throughout the duration of the contest.
The head coach noted that the impact of the bench proved decisive in securing the result last weekend. Experienced campaigners, including Gwenllian Pyrs, Bethan Lewis, Gwen Crabb, Lleucu George, and Georgia Evans, were instrumental in closing out the game.
Reflecting on his selection philosophy, Lynn emphasised the necessity of maintaining a highly competitive environment within the squad. He currently has 30 players available for selection, all of whom are proving eager to secure a place in the side.
"When players take opportunities, we've got to reward that," Lynn stated regarding his selection process. "I want us to have a competitive squad and we've got 30 players here who are really champing at the bit. Nobody will own this jersey."
A victory on Saturday would represent a successful WXV campaign for Wales, potentially resulting in three wins from four matches. The team has already recorded notable victories against South Africa and Japan earlier in the international series.
Lynn highlighted the vital importance of consistency, noting that the squad must demonstrate their capabilities across consecutive training days and match performances. He expressed significant satisfaction with the intensity shown during training sessions held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"It's huge for us. Everybody in the environment wants to be winning," Lynn added. "It's about backing it up Saturday to Saturday, backing it up in training and everything we're doing. If we can get this result, it will be successful."
Beyond the immediate objective of winning the WXV Test, Lynn is focused on building long-term momentum ahead of the 2027 Women's Six Nations. Wales are aiming to improve their standing after a challenging period in the championship.
The team has not secured a victory in the Six Nations since defeating Italy in the final round of the 2024 tournament. Their next campaign is set to begin with a challenging home fixture against England at the start of 2027.
Wales have shown clear signs of progress throughout 2026, a transformation that was kick-started by a friendly victory over the Barbarians. These results have contributed to the team gradually climbing the world rankings, where they currently sit 11th.
When asked if he believes Wales are regaining recognition from international opponents, Lynn expressed confidence in his team's upward trajectory. He pointed to a narrow two-point margin against the USA as evidence of their growing competitiveness on the world stage.
"I definitely do," Lynn said regarding whether other nations are taking notice of Wales. "If we're only within two points against a side like USA, who have gone five wins, I think sides should be looking at Wales right now."
The upcoming match against Japan will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website and app, with audio commentary available on BBC Radio Wales Extra and BBC Radio Cymru for supporters following the action from across the globe.
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