flag
back Voltar
Wales make five changes as Lynn rewards bench
Bethan Lewis in black Wales training top holds her hands forward ready to catch an approaching rugby ball
Image caption, Bethan Lewis has captained Wales at the World Cup and in the Six Nations

Wales have made five starting changes for Saturday's second WXV Test against Japan (07:00 GMT).

Flanker Bethan Lewis will make her first start of the campaign, having been one of Wales' impressive impact players in last weekend's 17-0 victory in Tokyo, with co-captain Alex Callender moving to number eight.

Gwen Crabb and Gwenllian Pyrs are also promoted from the bench to join the pack, while Lleucu George is preferred to Keira Bevan at fly-half.

George will partner Seren Lockwood, who crossed for two tries last weekend.

Courtney Keight comes in for centre Freya Bell, who looks set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering a serious knee injury in the opening Test.

Head coach Sean Lynn has again opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench.

"We have made the changes to reward the players who finished the job in Tokyo," said Lynn.

Wales are looking to finish their WXV campaign on a high at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, having previously beaten Japan and South Africa and narrowly lost to USA.

They are currently ranked 11th in the world after overtaking Saturday's opponents with last week's victory.

"The players know our DNA is team first. Competition for places drives standards and performances and will only help us improve and get better as a team," Lynn added.

"We are obviously disappointed with the injury to Freya Bell, but she will get the best care and we hope to see her back soon."

While last weekend was another welcome win for Lynn, Wales made hard work of the victory in testing conditions.

"We found a way in the first Test in Tokyo and the way the players problem-solved during the game was key for all the coaches," said Lynn.

"But we know we have to be much more accurate and produce a consistent, 80-minute performance to beat a resilient Japan side that we know will be hurting."

Wales: Neumann; N Metcalfe, Cox, Keight, A Williams; George, Lockwood, Pyrs, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Crabb, K Williams (co-capt), Lewis, Callender (co-capt).

Replacements: Reardon, Davies, E Jones, Aiono, Evans, King, Bevan, De Vera.

Officials

Referee: Julianne Zussman (RC)

Assistants: Sunny Lee (HKCR), Hibiki Ikeda (JRFU)

TMO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)

FPRO: Koki Yamauchi (JRFU)

You may like

Six players earn first Bok call-up as Nations Championship squad named

timeslive.co.za 1 dia atrás

Australia hand shock recall to 37-year-old Kurtley Beale – five years after his last Test

independent.co.uk 1 dia atrás

All Blacks coach Rennie excited by return of triple-threat Fainga'anuku

straitstimes.com 2 dias atrás

England need to unearth World Cup core despite derby friction and injury chaos

theguardian.com 2 dias atrás

Hume returns, Leinster change 14 & Russell makes Munster bow

bbc.co.uk 27 minutos atrás

Ringrose set to miss Ireland's November games

bbc.co.uk 2 dias atrás

Veteran Beale added to Wallabies squad for Nations Championship tests

straitstimes.com 1 dia atrás

The World Cup clues offered by Steve Borthwick ahead of England’s crucial autumn

aol.com 1 dia atrás

Scotland name squad for Nations Championship

straitstimes.com 3 dias atrás

Dragons' depth test against Zebre amid Wales calls

aol.com 1 hora atrás