Wales make three changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's WXV Global Series Test against Japan in Tokyo, and flanker Alex Callender will mark a landmark occasion by winning her 50th Welsh cap. Callender first earned her cap in 2019 and has returned impressively from injuries suffered before, during and after the 2025 World Cup. The 26-year-old made a comeback in June's uncapped fixture against the Barbarians, was named player of the match against South Africa and scored against USA.
Head coach Lynn praised Callender's commitment, saying: "Whenever you talk about a Welsh person everything is about calon and passion - that's her in abundance. Whenever she puts that jersey on she wears it with pride and wants to represent the nation. She galvanises this group incredibly, on the pitch and off it." Lynn added that Callender has grown her game beyond her well-known tackling and breakdown work, becoming a really good operator in the line-out and the attack.
The Metcalfe sisters will also feature together in the XV for the first time at Test level. Branwen, 20, starts her sixth successive Test and has a new second-row partner in fellow prospect Aiono. Nel, 21, returns to the wing rather than full-back after a knee injury that kept her out of the Six Nations. Lynn described her as "a shining light at the World Cup," adding that every time she gets the ball, something will happen.
Wales are 11th in World Rugby's rankings, one place above Japan. Last month, Japan lost 55-21 to Italy and were beaten twice by Ireland, 31-24 in the WXV Global Series and 43-19 in an extra Test. Lynn warned that Japan are "very efficient" and "very regimented," with a strong maul, so Wales will not be taking them lightly.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing