Skipper Siwan Lillicrap insisted Wales will learn from their disappointing 45-0 home defeat against Ireland, which confirmed they will finish third in Women’s Six Nations Pool B.
After succumbing to an opening-round 53-0 loss in France last week, Warren Abrahams’ side were up against it from the off against Ireland, with Eimear Considine and Beibhinn Parsons notching two tries apiece to wrap up the bonus point inside 20 minutes.
Wales did improve after Sene Naoupu had crossed for a fifth try before half-time, but further scores from Dorothy Wall and Hannah Tyrrell in the second period added gloss to the scoreline for the visitors.
At full-time Lillicrap said Wales were off the pace from the off but emphasised the importance of the players sticking together as a unit as they look to end their 2021 campaign on a high in two weeks’ time.
Two successive defeats means they will come up against either Italy or Scotland in the 5th/6th play-off on Super Saturday, both of whom have fallen to double-defending champions England so far in Pool A.
“We didn’t start with the right intent and that set the tone for the game,” Lillicrap said. “We were a little better in the second half, but we just weren’t good enough overall and that’s the reality.
“We’ve got to make our one-on-one shots – that’s non-negotiable. We weren’t good enough at the scrum and lineout either and that’s something we’ve got to look at.
“But there’s no finger pointing. We’ve all got to reflect on our performances – maybe I didn’t bring enough to the table today. The main thing is that we learn lessons from today.
“We’ve got to try and make sure our heads don’t drop. It’s emotional now but it’s important we reflect, put in the hard work and finish on a high on finals day.”
