Lockwood scores twice as Wales beat Japan 17-0 in WXV

Wales defeated Japan 17-0 in Tokyo to record their second victory of the WXV campaign, with Seren Lockwood scoring twice and Kelsey Jones also crossing. According to BBC Sport's match report, wind, rain and humidity contributed to an error-strewn contest in which Wales led by seven points at half-time before extending their advantage after the interval.

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Japan were reduced to 14 players when flanker Nami Asari received a yellow card in the sixth minute. Wales appeared to capitalise through Jones from a close-range lineout, but a review identified obstruction by Jorja Aiono and the score was disallowed. At the other end, Freya Bell and Sisilia Tuipulotu prevented Wako Kitano from grounding the ball over the Welsh line.

The visitors eventually broke through in the 35th minute. After a driving lineout and a carry by Bell took Wales close to the try line, Lockwood spotted space around the breakdown and went over. Bell converted to give Wales a 7-0 lead, ending a half in which handling mistakes and inaccurate kicking had repeatedly interrupted their attack.

Japan posed more problems after the restart as Wales began missing tackles. The visitors also lost Bell, who was taken off on a stretcher with what BBC Sport described as a serious-looking knee injury. The report did not provide a diagnosis. Courtney Keight replaced her, while Lleucu George entered before the hour as Wales sought to regain territory.

Wales added their second try in the 65th minute, Jones scoring from a driving maul on an infrequent visit to Japan's 22. Another apparent Lockwood try was subsequently ruled out: replays showed that Jones had been offside when winning possession during the build-up, denying Wales an immediate further score.

Lockwood secured her second try three minutes from the end. Now operating on the wing following the changes to the backline, she finished after a wide pass from George. Japan also had Nami Yoshida sent to the sin-bin late on, but Wales could not add the fourth try required for a bonus point.

The shutout was Wales' first since a 65-0 victory over Hong Kong in November 2018, BBC Sport reported. Wales have now won all three of their Tests against Japan. The teams meet again in Kumagaya City on Saturday, 31 October.