Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Boss Sean Lynn is using next year's historic British and Irish Lions Women's tour as extra motivation for his Wales players.

Lynn's side are attempting to build on encouraging performances at Cardiff Arms Park when they thrashed South Africa and were edged out by USA.

They are also looking to catch the eye of Lions coach Jo Yapp in the countdown to next year's inaugural women's tour to New Zealand which kicks-off with a warm-up Test against France in Cardiff.

With Women's Lions head coach recently spending time with the squad recently, the feedback from camp has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Jo Yapp has been in camp and was really excited about what she was seeing. We had some really good, positive conversations about individuals," said Lynn.

"It was nice for her to see the way that they performed against South Africa and USA, then come in to see them in the training environment."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Alex Callender was surprised by balloons in her Tokyo hotel room by team-mates ahead of a Test milestone, but the all-action flanker is more concerned with ensuring Wales do not feel deflated on Saturday.

The 26-year-old will win her 50th cap against Japan at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.

Callender would have already reached her half-century were it not for injury misfortune, but instead she will lead Wales out in Tokyo while friends and family cheer from their sofas.

"They'll be watching at home, but the girls have made such a massive effort with me already. I've had balloons in my room and it's been a special week," said Callender.

"I don't really want to overthink it. I just want to go out and just play.

"I'll obviously embrace the occasion and where I am, but I also just want to play my game and lead from the front."

Read more: The gym hater who turned into a Wales leader

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

With the exception of utility back Kayleigh Powell, Wales' starting XV is as close to full strength as it can be.

Nel Metcalfe's return to the backline has given Sean Lynn a huge boost. The Gloucester-Hartpury youngster proved in the World Cup what a threat she is and also provides an extra kicking option.

We didn't see as much as we would have liked of the Keira Bevan and Seren Lockwood half-back partnership against South Africa due to a HIA, but what we did see was hugely encouraging.

I'm really excited to see what Wales can produce this morning given their encouraging start to the autumn.

Wales face a Japan side that 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.

The Sakura Fifteen give starts to uncapped number eight Savannah Bodman and centre Sophie Akiko Langford, with fly-half Chihiro Ito set for a debut from the bench.

The fixture is part of a double-header to mark the centenary of the Japan Rugby Football Union, with Lynn expecting the women to provide a stern test after the men have hosted Fiji.

"Japan ran Ireland close in the first Test and they are very efficient in what they do, very regimented," he said.

"They've got a very good maul and we are not going to be taking them lightly at all."

Japan: Nishi; Tsunokawa, Langford, Kataoka, Nishimura; Tsukui (capt), Harada; Komaki, Nagaoka, Kitano, Kawamura, Sato, Asari, Korai, Bodman.

Replacements: Nagata, Yoshida, Fuji, Yoshimura, Jennifer, Seo, Ito, Havili Kagawa.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The half-back partnership of Seren Lockwood and Keira Bevan that stretched the South Africans has been restored and Nel Metcalfe, a livewire highlight at full-back in the 2025 World Cup, returns from injury on the wing.

Her sister Branwen packs down next to fellow bright prospect Jorja Aiono in a mobile second row, with the well-balanced trio of Alex Callender, Kate Williams and Georgia King in the back row.

Wales: Neumann; N Metcalfe, Cox, Bell, A Williams; Bevan, Lockwood; M Davies, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Aiono, K Williams (co-capt), Callender (co-capt), King.

Replacements: Reardon, Pyrs, E Jones, Crabb, G Evans, B Lewis, George, Keight.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to our live coverage of Wales' latest WXV match and the first of two meetings with Japan over the next eight days.

There are rankings ramifications this weekend - whoever loses at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium will drop to 13th place.

That would equal Wales' lowest position but head coach Sean Lynn has the top six in his sights after encouraging performances in September against South Africa and USA.

But Japan are eyeing a first ever win over Wales on what is their 100th Test match.

And with heavy rain in Tokyo, it could come down to who manages the conditions better.

So first up, let's have a look at the teams.