The injury occurred in the 53rd minute of the match held at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. Bell, who recently celebrated her 21st birthday, was forced to leave the field on a stretcher after landing awkwardly during a defensive tackle.

Wales successfully navigated the opening fixture of the series, securing a 17-0 victory. Despite the positive result, the loss of Bell is a significant setback for the squad as they prepare for the final international match of 2026.

The Welsh Rugby Union stated that Bell is currently awaiting the results of a medical scan. The full extent of the injury will be assessed by the medical staff once the squad returns to Wales following the conclusion of the tour.

Bell will remain with the touring party in Japan for the remainder of the trip. She is scheduled to fly back to the United Kingdom with the rest of the squad this coming Sunday after the second Test is completed.

The second match between Japan and Wales is scheduled for this Saturday, 31 October, at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture. The fixture is set to kick off at 07:00 GMT, marking the final international outing for Wales.

Since making her senior international debut against England during the 2026 Six Nations tournament, Bell has become an increasingly important figure in the Welsh midfield. Her absence will force a tactical reshuffle for the coaching staff this weekend.

The WXV Global Series remains a vital component of the international women's rugby calendar. Wales will be looking to maintain the defensive momentum established in the first Test despite the unfortunate injury news regarding their starting centre.

Fans can follow the action from Kumagaya live via various BBC Sport platforms. Coverage includes live streaming on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, alongside audio commentary provided on BBC Radio Wales Extra and BBC Radio Cymru for listeners.

The Welsh squad remains focused on finishing their international campaign on a high note. Head coach Lynn will be expected to confirm the replacement for the vacant centre position in the starting lineup later in the week ahead.

The Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium hosted a physical encounter last Saturday, with both sides testing their defensive structures. Wales managed to keep a clean sheet, providing a solid foundation for their 17-point victory in the first Test match.

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium is a familiar venue for international rugby, having previously hosted matches during the 2019 Men's Rugby World Cup. The surface is expected to provide a fast track for Saturday's concluding Test match of the series.

The Sakura Fifteen, as the Japan women's national team is known, will be eager to bounce back after being held scoreless in the first outing. They will likely look to exploit any gaps in the Welsh defensive line.

Wales' performance in the 2026 Six Nations provided a platform for their current development. The coaching staff has been keen to blood new talent, with several players having made their international debuts under the current management this year.

The injury to Bell is the latest in a series of challenges for the Welsh squad during this tour. Managing player welfare remains a high priority for the WRU medical team throughout the duration of the international window.

As the squad prepares for the final push in Kumagaya, the focus remains on maintaining tactical discipline. The team will aim to replicate the defensive intensity shown in Tokyo to secure a series victory on Japanese soil this weekend.

The upcoming match represents the final opportunity for the players to impress before the end of the calendar year. Selection for future squads will be heavily influenced by the performances and resilience shown in this two-match series.

The WRU has confirmed that no further updates regarding Bell's specific condition will be provided until the scan results are fully reviewed. The immediate priority remains the player's recovery and her safe return to the United Kingdom.

Supporters will be watching closely to see how the Welsh backline adapts to the forced change. The depth of the squad will be tested as they look to overcome the absence of a key playmaker in the midfield.

With the conclusion of this Test, the international season for the Welsh women's team will draw to a close. The focus will then shift toward the domestic season and preparation for the following year's fixtures and international commitments.

Flanker Alex Callender is set to achieve a major personal milestone by winning her 50th international cap for her country. The 26-year-old will lead the team out alongside fellow back-row forward and co-captain Kate Williams as they tackle the Sakura Fifteen in foreign conditions.

Callender earned her inaugural international cap back in 2019 and reaches the half-century mark following a determined recovery from various injuries. She suffered fitness setbacks before, during, and after the 2025 Rugby World Cup cycle before returning strongly to action.

Her comeback included an appearance in an uncapped fixture against the Barbarians in June, followed by a player-of-the-match performance against South Africa. She also managed to get on the scoresheet during the narrow defeat by the United States at Cardiff Arms Park.

Head coach Lynn paid tribute to the industrious flanker's dedication and character ahead of her landmark appearance in the Japanese capital. He highlighted her immense passion and the profound leadership qualities she brings to the wider squad environment.

According to the coaching staff, Callender has evolved her tactical repertoire significantly beyond her renowned defensive capabilities. While her breakdown work and tackling remain exceptional, she has developed into a potent attacking option in wide channels.

The team management has worked hard on expanding her handling skills during the pre-season training block to utilise her as an extra playmaker. This tactical shift aims to give the Welsh side an added dimension in their expansive attacking structure.

Alongside Callender's milestone, sisters Nel and Branwen Metcalfe are poised to make history by starting a Test match together for the first time. The sibling duo previously featured alongside each other during the 2025 global tournament and recent exhibition matches.

Branwen Metcalfe, aged 20, secures her sixth consecutive start in the second row where she will partner promising young lock Jorja Aiono. Meanwhile, her 21-year-old sister Nel returns to the starting XV on the wing after recovering from a knee injury.

Nel Metcalfe missed the entire Six Nations campaign due to that knee ligament problem sustained following her impressive World Cup performances. Lynn expressed confidence in her explosive running capabilities and physical development ahead of the weekend clash.

The team selection features three personnel alterations in total compared to the narrow September defeat against the United States. Aside from Nel Metcalfe's return, Seren Lockwood comes back into the starting XV to wear the scrum-half jersey.

Jorja Aiono also earns a starting berth in the second row as part of the strategic adjustments made by the coaching staff. Furthermore, two positional switches have been implemented within the back division for this crucial fixture.

Carys Cox shifts inwards to operate in the centre position, while Keira Bevan is selected to pull the strings from fly-half. Bevan returns to the number 10 role following an encouraging partnership with Lockwood during the early stages of the South Africa encounter.

Lynn noted that Bevan possesses excellent maturity in managing the tactical kicking game and brings great energy to the backline. Lleucu George remains available among the replacements after providing cover during previous autumn international fixtures.

Wales enter this weekend's contest positioned 11th in the official World Rugby rankings, sitting one place above their upcoming opponents. Their opposition, Japan, experienced a challenging run of results recently, including a heavy defeat to Italy.

The Sakura Fifteen also suffered consecutive reversals against Ireland during the WXV Global Series and an additional friendly fixture. Despite those results, the Welsh coaching staff have warned against complacency when facing the disciplined Japanese outfit.

Lynn specifically highlighted the efficiency and structured nature of the Japanese team, noting their dangerous driving maul capability. Consequently, the coaching ticket has opted for a bench split containing six forwards to maintain physical intensity throughout.

The replacement reserves bench features Reardon, Pyrs, E Jones, Crabb, G Evans, B Lewis, George, and Keight. This group will provide crucial impact during the latter stages of the match at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.

The international fixture kicks off at 10:30 British Summer Time and will be broadcast live across various platforms. Supporters in the United Kingdom can follow the action via television coverage and digital streaming services.

Audio commentary will also be provided across several radio wavelengths, ensuring comprehensive coverage for fans following the team from afar. The match serves as an important stepping stone for both nations within the WXV Global Series framework.