Nel Metcalfe returns to Wales squad after knee injury kept her out since Rugby World Cup

Nel Metcalfe is set to return to Test rugby for Wales on their two-match WXV Global Series tour of Japan, having not played international rugby since the 28-25 defeat to Fiji that ended Wales’ Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign. The 21-year-old full-back was included in Sean Lynn’s squad after recovering from the knee injury that kept her out of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

“I’m feeling 100% fit now,” Metcalfe said. “I feel so much better and stronger, and it’s just been really nice to be back in full training and on the same schedule as everyone else. It’s been a long recovery, especially doing the same injury back to back, so it’s taken a bit more time than I would have liked. But I’m in a much better place now and I’m just really excited to be back out there.”

Metcalfe watched from the sidelines as Wales finished bottom of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations earlier this year, but she has been encouraged by what she has seen since returning to the squad. Wales opened their WXV Global Series campaign with a 50-19 win over South Africa before narrowly losing 26-24 to the USA in Cardiff.

“The intensity that we bring to training now, compared to the last time I was properly involved, is so much better,” she said. “Having Ash [Beck] and Steve [Salvin] full-time has made a massive difference, and I think you can see that in the way we’re playing as well. The girls were brilliant in those first two games — the intent, the want to play and move the ball was really exciting to see. It’s a really exciting group to be coming back into.”

Wales will face Japan in Tokyo and Kumagaya City to close out their autumn programme, with the fixtures offering a chance to finish the WXV Global Series on a positive note before the 2027 Guinness Women’s Six Nations begins in six months.

Japan arrive in the series having lost 55-21 to Italy and 31-24 to Ireland in Galway during their European fixtures. Scott Bemand’s Ireland side then defeated the Sakura Fifteen 43-19 in an out-of-window fixture in Cork.

“We’re just super excited to go out there,” Metcalfe said. “Japan move the ball really well, they’ve got really good skills and they’ve got that want to play as well, so I think we’ll want to match that. Our physicality has been really good in those first games.”

The Japan tour represents Wales’ final competitive action before the long wait for the next Six Nations, giving Lynn’s squad — and a returning Metcalfe — a meaningful opportunity to build momentum heading into 2027.