Wales Ring Five Changes in Hunt for WXV Clean Sweep Over Japan

Wales will chase a clean sweep of their WXV Global Series meetings with Japan on Saturday, with head coach Sean Lynn making five changes to his starting side for the finale in Kumagaya. Bethan Lewis, Gwenllian Pyrs, Lleucu George, Gwen Crabb and Courtney Keight all come into the XV, a quintet carrying 248 Test caps between them after impressing from the bench last weekend. Wales have won two of their three matches in the series, including a 17-0 victory in Tokyo last weekend, and a win in Saitama Prefecture would end the international year on a high. The changes reflect the depth Lynn has built during his 18 months in charge, with the coach trusting his wider squad to finish the job against a Japan side that will be desperate to avoid a third straight defeat in the series. The match takes place at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, with coverage on BBC platforms, and offers Wales a chance to confirm their progress with a statement result. For the players coming in, it is also an opportunity to press their claims for bigger roles next year, with competition for places now genuinely fierce across the squad.