Women’s Six Nations: Italy v Wales
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Date: Sunday, 27 April Kick-off: 11:30 BST
Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru
Wales head coach Sean Lynn has warned World Cup places are on the line for his players over the next three games.
With his side bottom of the Six Nations and winless before the final game of the tournament against Italy on Sunday, Lynn pulled no punches over what is at stake in Parma.
And, with this summer’s forthcoming World Cup, he was not afraid to shake up what has been a long-settled squad if they do not show an immediate response to four defeats in a row.
“These are pressure moments, this is where I’m going and I want to see if these individuals can handle it because I’ve got a World Cup coming up,” said Lynn.
“There are World Cup places on the line over the next three games – away to Italy and the tour to Australia – and World Cup selection is not at all done.
“Sunday is like cup rugby. I’m looking for a response because the World Cup is all about pressure moments and you have to enjoy that and embrace it.”
Lynn is likely to make changes for what is – just as last year’s final game against Italy – a must-win match on Sunday.
Wales were brushed aside by a rampant Ireland who made twice the number of carries, metres and linebreaks despite a shocking 25 handling errors which could have inflicted far more damage than the 40-14 scoreline suggests.
“I was disappointed, full-stop,” added Lynn. “The performance against Ireland was not good enough and the players and staff are aware of that.
“We should have been far more competitive but you have to take your chances and you cannot concede 18 penalties against top sides.
“Most of those penalties were down to us and individuals trying to fix problems that weren’t theirs to fix but resulted in putting the team under pressure.
“When we talk about learning from games, that was a massive area for us.”
Wales are awaiting the result of a scan on the hamstring of Harlequins fly-half Kayleigh Powell who was a late withdrawal last week.
However, Lynn was at least relieved that his team were not forced to play two games in five days when the match – rearranged due to the funeral of Pope Francis – was pushed back to Sunday.
