Wales progress stalls in sluggish Ireland showing

• Published3 hours ago

Encouraged by a record points haul against England last time out, Wales headed to Ireland looking to build on recent peformances in the Women's Six Nations.

But the tournament's two-week break appeared to have done more harm than good as Wales look uninspired in their 33-12 defeat.

Like they had against Scotland and France, Wales were in the contest up until half-time but Ireland's third try proved the hammer blow.

Wales should have headed down the tunnel trailing 12-7 but a failure to get the ball off the park when the clock had been in the red gifted Ireland one last attack.

"We speak about championship moments and that is one of them," said Wales captain Bethan Lewis.

"Putting ourselves on the back foot going into half-time, it's frustrating. We need to tighten up with things like that."

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Compared to their second-half showing against England, where they bagged two late tries for a bonus-point, Wales could muster very little after the break in Belfast.

Ireland were utterly dominant with possession and territory, with last year's player of the championship Aoife Wafer leading the charge.

Travelling fans' only consolation was a 78th minute Jasmine Joyce try but it was not enough to prevent Wales from leaving empty handed.

"We're ranked 12th in the world, we played the team ranked fifth in the world and you can clearly see when you're away from home, you've got to be a lot more clinical," said Wales head coach Sean Lynn.

"We said in the huddle at the end of the game, we've got to be better with our composure and accuracy.

"I wouldn't have said the girls dropped their heads. They stuck at it, stuck to their processes, but Ireland kept the ball really well.

"The girls give everything out there and when you see them upset after the game it's because they care, they want to be winning, so it is tough."

Wales are now on a nine-game losing streak and have one last chance next Sunday to prevent a third consecutive wooden spoon in the Six Nations.

And while Italy at home would be a targeted win for Lynn's side, the Azzurri are full of confidence having backed up a convincing victory over Scotland by scoring five tries in their defeat by England.

"We will come out firing. We're hurting. We do have more to give. There is a lot of learnings and hopefully we can put on a good show next week," said Lewis.

"The first two games at home were incredible. The support was incredible and having that red wall in the stand will give us energy."

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