BBC Rugby Union: Wales Stumble as Ireland Surge in Women’s Six Nations (BBC, 05 March 2023)
In a reversal of fortunes from last year, Ireland dominated Wales in their Women’s Six Nations clash on Saturday, romping to a convincing 36-5 victory in Cork. The Irish performance was a stark contrast to the Welsh bullying of their opponents 12 months ago in Cardiff, showcasing the transformation in the Irish team both on and off the pitch.
For Wales, the loss represents a sobering halt to their recent progress as a professional outfit. “> Sometimes these things humble you… we were beaten by the better team,” admitted Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham after the defeat. With three losses from three games so far in the 2023 Six Nations, Wales’ hopes of a targeted third-place finish are now in jeopardy, as they prepare to face France and Italy in their remaining matches.
The Welsh struggles were evident throughout the game, as Ireland scored five tries, with Aoife Wafer, Eve Higgins and Neve Jones crossing the line in the first 30 minutes to set the tone. A late try from Wales’ Gwennan Hopkins on her international debut provided little consolation in the face of a dominant Irish performance.
Cunningham acknowledged the need for Wales to “look a bit deeper at where we can really make changes,” as other teams continue to improve around them. The lack of a domestic league in Wales has been a long-standing issue, and Cunningham emphasized the importance of providing more high-quality playing opportunities for the nation’s rising talent.
With the race to secure a place in the top tier of the upcoming WXV1 competition heating up, Wales will need to quickly regroup and find a way to rediscover their form, starting with a potential scalp against France in their next Six Nations fixture. The finale against Italy at the Principality Stadium could provide a chance for Wales to end their campaign on a high note, but the path ahead remains challenging for a team in transition.
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