Image source, Getty Images

That was well worth the early start - Wales finish 2026 on a high by winning successive Tests for the first time since 2024.

It’s a tough ask to make it a hat-trick - England are next up - but the signs are promising ahead of the Six Nations.

Sean Lynn’s side will aim to claim some scalps in the championship in April and May.

The head coach has strong options and better competition for starts, that after giving opportunities to the likes of Amy Williams, Seren Lockwood, Branwen and Nel Metcalfe and Jorja Aiono.

They have been backed up by an experienced core - forwards Sisilia Tuipulotu, Kate Williams and Alex Callender have been immense and are right in the mix for next year's Lions tour to New Zealand.

It was an encouraging four-Test block in the WXV Global Series with a thumping win against South Africa and this convincing victory against Japan after they ground it out in tough conditions in Tokyo last weekend.

The only disappointment was defeat by USA, but that was a narrow one against an Eagles side that beat Ireland and Italy (twice), and gave England a few problems last night.

Things are looking up as Wales build towards the 2029 World Cup.

That was a lovely start to another bumper sporting day - enjoy it!

Image source, Getty Images

Wales head coach Sean Lynn said:

"We knew it was going to be a tough one again and we just wanted to back up our performance from last week.

"The girls started really fast, we wanted to look at a bit more of our maul game but I couldn't fault the girls at the end, especially when we were down to 13.

"Twelve months ago we got knocked out the World Cup without winning a game. We were disappointed so we set some goals, we've got a bit of a road map to the 2029 World Cup.

"Players will go back to the PWR and the Celtic Challenge, we'll stay connected to those players, and the next one will be the Six Nations."

Wales flanker Kate Williams:

"I'm really proud of the performance the girls put out there.

"We were brave with the ball and that showed with the tries that we scored. We can be really proud of our set-piece as well.

"Something that is a continued work-on for us is our discipline, but I'm really proud of our defensive effort, especially in that last 20 minutes.

"We've got a really exciting team playing for Wales at the minute. We've got a really good mixture of experience and young blood coming through.

"We want to keep playing brave, keep reinforcing our DNA as Welsh players and continue that into our next Tests in the Six Nations."

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

It's a superb way to finish the year, to go three from four is a huge leap for this Wales squad.

To hold Japan out at the end as well when we were down to 13 for 10 minutes was great. It was relentless from Japan but we looked really comfortable.

It was a really good and improved performance from last week in better conditions, and hopefully this will build momentum for this squad ahead of the Six Nations next year.

Catrin Edwards
Former Wales prop Catrin Edwards on Radio Cymru

That was a really inspiring performance from Wales and it shows how much this squad has developed, winning three out of four in this series is a statement.

I have to praise Wales' defensive line in those last 10 minutes, they were down to 13 and Japan still couldn't score.

Keira Bevan is still young but Seren Lockwood has stepped up and she has a bright future now, it's great to see because Sean Lynn has options.

A much-improved performance by Wales after their spluttering showing at Tokyo.

Sean Lynn will be slightly disappointed that his side didn't put their foot on the throat in the last quarter, when they were derailed by poor discipline.

Still, job done in Japan.

Captain Alex Callender gets over the ball to keep Japan out at the end.

Terrific work by the back-rower.

Wales make it three from four in the WXV Global Series.

A very long advantage for a knock-on.

Japan will have one last attack, with Wales back to 15 players.

Wales down to 13 but Japan still splutter after getting a driving line-out going to earn another penalty.

An attack fails to go over and Wales are back to 14 for another Japanese effort.

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

It's a much better from Wales today, not quite the complete performance, but we've had 50 to 60 minutes of quality rugby from Wales.

We've had variation in attack and the defence has been pretty robust, even when we've been down to 13.

Wales are ending the game on the back foot because of their lack of bench impact.

However, they defend strongly despite being two players down.

Japan a little manic when hunting a second try. Can Wales limit them to one?

This is a good exercise for them ahead of tougher tests.

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC One Wales

The vibe of the game in the last 10 minutes has certainly changed.

You want your subs to come on and keep the tempo up, but it's almost been counter-productive and stifled their flow.

Wales are playing rugby league - they are reduced to 13 players.

Hannah Dannavalle, a late call-up to the bench, can have no complaints after being shown yellow for pulling the ponytail of an opponent in the tackle.

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain on BBC One Wales

We've heard Sean Lynn speak about an 80-minute performance and finishing off games on a high, and this will be a tough finish for Wales now being down to 14.

Not a great few minutes for Keira Bevan, with the replacement scrum-half shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

That's not great by Wales.

De Vera with a carry towards the line off the scrum but then Keira Bevan has a bit of white line fever.

The replacement scrum-half tries a snipe and has the ball ripped from her.

Wales need to be slicker than that in the 'red zone' when they return for the Six Nations next year.

Wales to have another chance from a five-metre scrum.

Keira Bevan goes quickly from a penalty and Amy Williams kicks ahead and chases hard, forcing Japan to kick the ball dead.

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

Another huge shift from Sisilia Tuipulotu.

She has done her British and Irish Lions chances absolutely no harm in their WXV series.

She is back to her very best.

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC One Wales

The only loss they've had in the WXV was against the USA, and there were so many positives from that game as well.

It's been a brilliant campaign for Wales.

More changes with Jenna De Vera on for Courtney Keight in midfield while Elan Jones is on for the impressive Sisilia Tuipulotu.

Jones will get a good quarter here after Tuipulotu played 78 minutes last week.

She was getting treatment before going off but seems to be fine.