| Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 27 April Kick-off: 12:15 BST |
| Protection: Watch dwell on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer and on-line from 15:00 BST; pay attention on BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru; textual content commentary, highlights and report on BBC Sport web site and app. Highlights on Scrum V Six Nations, Sunday, 28 April, BBC Two Wales from 18:00 BST and in a while demand. |
Head coach Ioan Cunningham says Wales nonetheless have their “learner plates on” in relation to professionalism.
His aspect are rooted to the underside of the Girls’s Six Nations desk after Sunday’s 40-0 defeat by France.
It was a seventh consecutive loss for Wales, who face Italy at Principality Stadium on Saturday, 27 April hoping to keep away from the Picket Spoon.
However, regardless of their poor run, Cunningham says Wales “have come a good distance” since turning skilled in 2022.
“This crew was thirteenth on this planet, they hadn’t received a recreation in two and a half years,” he stated.
“We have nonetheless bought L plates on in relation to professionalism, individuals have gotten to grasp that.”
France ran in six tries at Cardiff Arms Park and will face England in a Grand Slam decider subsequent Saturday in Bordeaux (16:45 BST).
Regardless of the outcome Cunningham stated “it was a significantly better efficiency” than final weekend’s 36-5 loss in Eire, the place Wales merely “did not flip up”.
“If the trouble is there and the subsequent motion is there we have got one thing to construct on,” he stated, “I assumed that was there at the moment in abundance.
“We fought for each inch, we went by means of some good attacking units, simply that medical edge that we’re nonetheless trying to find, however I’m assured if we are able to produce some performs like that in opposition to Italy subsequent week, we are able to end this championship on a excessive.”
Cunningham’s response has been questioned by former Wales worldwide, turned pundit, Dyddgu Hywel.
“If I used to be sat within the altering rooms and we had misplaced 40-0 then the top coach is available in and says he is actually proud of the trouble women… I do not suppose that is acceptable,” she instructed BBC Radio Wales.
“We have to elevate the requirements, we have to count on extra from the teaching crew and count on extra from the gamers once more if we are able to compete in opposition to the likes of France and England.”
Former Wales coach Chris Horsman was working alongside Hywel, and he too took a extra essential edge.
“Have we invested this cash, effort and time over two years to say we caught at it? It must be past that,” he stated.
“This 12 months Wales ought to have been saying we wish to get France.
“If you need the publicity and also you need individuals watching the sport you will have extra opinions, that’s the worth on the ticket.
“If you wish to be skilled rugby gamers on the highest stage you’ve got to be setting these requirements and you have to be demanding extra of yourselves.”
In the meantime, former Wales captain Rachel Taylor agreed with Cunningham when it comes to the crew’s effort.
“We noticed extra coronary heart, extra guts and extra grit in that remaining play once we have been nonetheless combating for the ball, in order that was encouraging,” she instructed BBC One Wales.
“There’s tons to do. Scoring 33 factors on this complete match to date is simply not ok from an assault standpoint, and that is a component that must be reviewed.”
One other former captain, Siwan Lillicrap, stated 4 losses on this marketing campaign “is a tricky one”, particularly after Wales completed third final 12 months with three wins.
However she insists Wales “don’t have anything to lose” of their remaining match.
“They have to go on the market in opposition to Italy subsequent week and throw completely all the things at it, as a result of we do not wish to be in that sixth spot.
“It’s no possibility however to win with a bonus level, so do not play with worry and simply go on the market and throw all the things at it. It is disappointing we’re in that place.”