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."

Callender has known that the half-century was in the offing for several weeks after head coach Sean Lynn named his matchday squad before the flight to Japan.

It will be a landmark occasion for a player who enjoyed a remarkable rise, making her international debut against France in 2019 swiftly after taking up the sport with Llanelli Wanderers.

"It's mad to think that I was an 18-year-old coming into camp and then receiving my first cap within the first year that I had started playing," she said.

"I still think I'm an 18-year-old, but my body says different."

Callender endured the lows as a professional athlete when hit by injury before, during and after the 2025 World Cup.

It comes as no surprise that the fierce competitor has bounced back.

Lynn hailed Callender's competitive streak but also the growth of her attacking game when naming his team for the first Japan Test.

She is one of the Welsh players sure to be on the radar of British and Irish Lions head coach Jo Yapp - her former Worcester boss - after repeatedly showing her Test match credentials against the best.

That has been helped by her exploits in Premiership Women's Rugby and also by the ability to be a professional.

"Getting full-time contracts, nutrition and gym-wise we have everything that we need to prepare ourselves for Test match rugby," Callender explained.

"If I look back to when I was 18 and came into the squads, I hated the gym and just wanted to play rugby.

"As I've progressed I have learned how to manage my body and what is needed to prepare for an international game.

"I've learned so much as a person and a leader as well. Team comes first in everything."

Team comes first for Callender and she knows that there is an almighty fight to earn back-row spots.

She joins forces with her co-captain Kate Williams and in-form Bryonie King in Tokyo, with Six Nations skipper Bethan Lewis on the bench.

Locks Branwen Metcalfe, Jorja Aiono and Georgia Evans can also play in the back row while Alisha Joyce will aim to push for a recall by shining in the Celtic Challenge competition.

"Since I came into the squad the back row has always been stacked, and I think that's the case with the men's side as well," added Callender.

"I think that Wales just breeds back-rowers, and having that healthy competition within the squad is exactly what is needed to drive standards.

"It's not just about the 15 anymore, or the 23. It's about the whole squad who can prepare the team and make a massive impact.

"It's good to have that competition within. It gets spicy, but that's rugby, isn't it?"

Callender will wear the seven jersey in Tokyo as Wales attempt to build on their encouraging home performances when beating South Africa and pushing USA, ranked sixth in the world, all the way.

Finishing with three wins from four would be a notable achievement as they work towards the target of a much-improved Six Nations campaign.

"I said that these four games were winnable," said Callender. "We've come to Japan and want to win two Test matches.

"Japan are a quality side who like to keep ball in hand but we are up to the challenge.

"Hopefully we can back up the performances that we had at home. I know the girls will, so I'm super excited."

After the midweek balloons, Callender will do everything she can to prevent Japan being party poopers.