Wales' best player could miss rest of autumn internationals amid tug of war

Jasmine Joyce may not feature in her Wales team's remaining two autumn internationals against South Africa and Canada

Lightning-fast Wales star Jasmine Joyce may be forced to miss her team's remaining autumn internationals after shining in their opener by scoring two tries.

The winger/full-back and player of the match scored two tries in Wales' 23-5 win over Japan on Sunday at Cardiff Arms Park, displaying her side-stepping quality and pace with the first and her power with her second from close range.

The Bristol Bear and double Olympian also put in a strong defensive shift, exemplified by her notable pole-axing tackle after coming off the line to try and prevent a Japan try at the other end of the field.

But the 26-year-old St Davids native, who has lit up the world Sevens stage in recent months, is at the centre of something of a tug of war.

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Contracted full-time to Great Britain, Joyce could well be recalled ahead of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai at the end of November and early December.

Asked about her Wales availability, head coach Ioan Cunningham told a press conference on Sunday: "It’s a discussion at the moment with GB, which we will confirm over the next day or so."

As for her "excellent" performance, he said: "It was great to see her cross twice. She was the star of the match. She’s such a threat with ball in hand. She cuts through, she’s powerful, quick and deserved the player of the match."

Joyce said of her potential availability: "I’m just taking every week and every day as it comes. I’m just loving playing rugby at the moment. I’m fortunate enough to be full-time. I’m just loving every second of it."

As for the game itself, she praised the intensity her teammates and coaches had brought to training beforehand to prepare the team in the best possible way.

"It was brilliant to get out there. I love playing 15s as well, getting my hands on the ball. So much fun, and to get the win as well, fantastic.

"It’s like being back on a Sevens pitch the way Japan play and the way we played, it was so much fun to be out there back playing with the girls."

Joyce was also singled out by Japan Women head coach Lesley McKenzie, who explained where her side stood up after not playing for almost two years.

"Coming into Wales to play a Welsh women’s team that had so much to prove and so much physicality that they obviously decided to make the focal point of their game, I’m proud of the way our defence held up to that," she said.

"We expected them to come really strong in the first half and to be physical. We know that was going to be a challenge.

"In the second half, they do have a really class full-back, somebody who had a tremendous Sevens at Tokyo Olympics and she showed some of that class. In general, we improved towards the end of the game but will take more lessons from this than not."

Wales' autumn opener against Japan marked their first win in 32 months and came just days after the Welsh Rugby Union announced it would be offering contracts to 25 players in December, taking effect from January, which has led to an extra edge in training.

"It’s helped," former Wales U20s boss Cunningham said of the contracts news having an impact on atmosphere.

"The girls have worked hard to deserve to get that opportunity to have contracts.

"It’s also got a bit of an edge of competition now, which is great for us as coaches to see them put their hands up as well.

"I think the squad are excited by it. And over the next three weeks as a coaching set up we will also be looking for the girls who are ready to put their hands up and grab those contracts in January."

As for on-field matters, Cunningham was pleased with Wales' defence but admitted discipline was an area to focus on before their next match against South Africa on Saturday, November 13 (12.15pm kick-off), at Cardiff Arms Park before their autumn finale against Canada - ranked third in the world - the following weekend.

"Very pleased with the result," he said. "Training has been good and they deserve praise for following the game plan on the field and getting the victory against Japan.

"We’re very pleased with the way we defended. Fair play to Japan, they threw everything at us. They play with a high tempo, move the ball well, so all praise to the defence and also to Geraint Lewis who has put a structure in place which the girls have taken onto the field.

"I thought we put some great defensive sets together which helped us grow into the game.

"We started well with an early try, we had a lot of possession camped in their 22 but we couldn’t capitalise. But then to transition into defence and hold them out, I thought was brilliant and it helped us grow into the game then.

"There’s still lots to work on, which is always a positive, which we can review thoroughly and hopefully make improvements this week before South Africa. They kick the ball a lot more. They’ve obviously got a strong setpiece so it’s going to be a different challenge for us which we're excited to face."

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