Wales faced a narrow 26-24 defeat against the USA in a recent rugby match, but the loss did not bring the usual sense of disappointment. Instead, fans left Cardiff Arms Park with a feeling of optimism about the future of Welsh women's rugby. Under the leadership of head coach Sean Lynn and his backroom staff, the team has undergone a significant transformation in just six weeks of pre-season. Previously, Wales had struggled in the World Cup and Six Nations, going winless, but now the team is seen as competitive and capable of holding its own for the full 80 minutes of a match. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) women's rugby director, Nadine Griffiths, had described the WXV series as a "litmus test" and a "brilliant opportunity to test our progress." The team's performance against a strong South Africa side and their close match with a USA team ranked within the world's top six were viewed as positive signs of their development. These results showed that Wales was making strides in both skill and confidence. Wales hooker Kelsey Jones expressed disappointment with the loss, noting that the team had left "loads out there" and acknowledged the USA's superior class. She emphasized the need for "little fixes" and expressed confidence in the team's upcoming matches in Japan. Wales co-captain Kate Williams described the feeling as "gutted," but she highlighted the team's belief in their ability to win Test matches and their commitment to learning from their mistakes. Lynn pointed to the growing strength of the squad, mentioning co-captains Alex Callender and Williams, the discovery of Amy Williams on the wing, and Keira Bevan's versatility at 10. Young forwards Branwen Metcalfe and Bryonie King have shown promise at the Test level, while experienced players like Georgia Evans, Lisa Neumann, and Sisilia Tuipulotu are playing with renewed confidence. The coaching team, including strength and conditioning coach Gareth Harris, is seen as stable and supportive of the team's development process. Former Wales internationals have offered positive feedback on the team's performance. Philippa Tuttiett noted the turnaround from a run of nine international defeats, praising the team's performance against South Africa and their ability to push a top-six team to the limit. Dyddgu Morgan-Hywel acknowledged the momentum gained from the South Africa win and expressed pride in the team's effort. Siwan Lillicrap felt both "gutted" and "proud," recognizing the team's fight and the lessons learned from the match. Wales will take a week off before returning to training for a mini tour of Japan, where they will play two Tests against the Sakura Fifteen. The team has previously won both meetings against Japan, who are currently ranked 12th. However, the challenges of playing in humid conditions and dealing with travel will test the team's resilience and the progress they have made so far.