Wales’ women’s rugby team suffered a narrow two-point defeat against the United States in their final WXV match at Cardiff Arms Park, yet the atmosphere among players and supporters was notably different from previous tournaments. Leaving the stadium, there was a palpable sense of optimism rather than the disillusionment that has historically characterized Welsh rugby results.
Head coach Sean Lynn and his staff have reportedly transformed the squad in just six weeks of pre-season, evolving the team from a winless unit in the recent World Cup and Six Nations into a competitive side capable of sustaining intensity for a full 80 minutes. The Welsh Rugby Union’s women’s director, Nadine Griffiths, had previously identified the WXV series as a crucial litmus test for progress, a benchmark Wales seemed to exceed by both overwhelming South Africa and pushing the sixth-ranked Americans to the wire.
Wales hooker Kelsey Jones acknowledged the frustration of the result but credited the USA for their class while noting that some of their success stemmed from Welsh errors. “The girls put in such a shift every week and they are absolutely class,” Jones said. “We’re playing a brand of rugby that we haven’t seen from a Wales team in a while.”
Co-captain Kate Williams described the squad as “gutted” but emphasized their belief that they could win such matches. She pointed to costly mistakes in the championship minutes as the deciding factor. “We’re in these Test matches and we believe that we can win these Test matches. It’s going to come right from us,” Williams stated.
Lynn highlighted the emergence of key players, including Amy Williams on the wing, Keira Bevan at fly-half, and young forwards Branwen Metcalfe and Bryonie King, alongside established stars like Georgia Evans and Sisilia Tuipulotu playing with renewed confidence. He also noted the stability of the coaching team, particularly with Gareth Harris’s arrival in strength and conditioning.
Former internationals praised the performance despite the loss. Philippa Tuttiett called the turnaround from a nine-match losing streak to beating South Africa and challenging the USA “incredible.” Former captain Siwan Lillicrap said she felt both “gutted and proud,” noting that while errors occurred, the USA is a top-six team and the growth within the Welsh side was evident.
Wales, currently ranked 11th in the world after dipping to an all-time low of 13th last month, now turn their attention to a mini tour of Japan. They face the Sakura Fifteen in Tokyo on October 24 and Kumagaya City on October 31. Although Wales has won both previous encounters against the 12th-ranked Japanese side, the squad must maintain their upward trajectory to meet the higher standards they have now set for themselves.
The crowd energy was different tonight. Finally, Cardiff Arms Park feels like a fortress again for the ladies.
Sean Lynn has worked wonders in six weeks. I haven’t felt this optimistic about the women’s team since 2017.
Two points isn’t nothing, but those late errors are worrying. We can’t afford to be sloppy against Japan.
Is it just me, or did Wales finally look like a team with pace and structure? That brand of rugby is much more entertaining.
What a turnaround! Beating South Africa and pushing the Americans so close makes me genuinely proud.