Nel Metcalfe returns to Wales squad for Japan WXV tour

Wales boss Sean Lynn has named a 30-player squad to tour Japan in October as part of WXV Global Series.

Nel Metcalfe, who missed the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations with injury, has returned to the squad. The Gloucester Hartpury full-back has not turned out for Wales since the team’s loss to Fiji at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

The squad will continue to be co-captained by back-row pair Alex Callender and Kate Williams. Uncapped prop forwards Stella Orrin and Crystal James have been named in the squad.

Amy Williams, Elan Jones and Shanelle Williams – who all made their debut in Wales’ 50-19 win against South Africa in September – have also been included in Lynn’s squad.

In their second home WXV Global Series fixture, Wales narrowly lost 26-24 to the USA Women’s Eagles at Cardiff Arms Park.

The Sakura Fifteen [12] are currently one place behind Wales [11] in the World Rugby rankings.

Japan have played two WXV Global Series matches in the past month and lost out to Italy and Ireland. Last weekend they played an out-of-window fixture against Ireland in Cork and lost 43-19.

Sean Lynn, Wales head coach, said: “This was a tough selection process after our performances against South Africa and USA, we asked the players to move the dial, and we did that in those two Test matches.

“We scored eight tries against South Africa and the disappointment of the players with the two-point deficit against USA, a team ranked sixth in the world, demonstrated the shift in mindset we need.

“All the hard work the players, coaches and staff put in across pre-season was there for all to see and we laid some real foundations in how we want to play and the team’s identity.

“We know we have a long way to go before we become the team, we want to be but the tour to play the Sakura Fifteen in Japan is an exciting challenge for us all.”

Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Crystal James (Trailfinders Women), Shanelle Williams (Brython Thunder), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Kelsey Jones (Sale Sharks), Elan Jones (Brython Thunder), Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder), Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Alex Callender (co-captain, Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Kate Williams (co-captain, Gloucester Hartpury), Jorja Aiono (Gloucester Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Bristol Bears)

Backs: Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder), Sian Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), Lleucu George (Gloucester Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning), Jenna De Vera (Brython Thunder), Carys Cox (Trailfinders Women), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester Hartpury), Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning), Amy Williams (Brython Thunder), Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester Hartpury)