Women's Six Nations 2024: Wales seek composure in Ireland after England loss

Head coach Ioan Cunningham believes composure is key for Wales as they look ahead to their Women's Six Nations trip to Ireland.

Wales will aim to halt a run of five straight defeats when they face the Irish in Cork on 13 April.

Cunningham says Wales can take heart from their 46-10 loss against England on Saturday.

"Players are going deep to the well and giving everything for the shirt," he said.

"We are so proud of that effort.

"We have just got to balance that up with being clinical and having that composure at the right time. Once that clicks, we will be a tough team to stop."

After successive autumn defeats by Canada, New Zealand and Australia, Wales were beaten narrowly in their opening Six Nations game by Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park in their opener.

Defeat by England, who were hailed as the best side in the world by Cunningham before the game, was more predictable.

'We left four or five tries out there'

The English, victors in the last five Six Nations Championships, have not lost to Wales since 2015.

That record never looked under threat in front of 19,705 fans at Ashton Gate, though Wales did compete in spells, particularly in the first half.

"I am very encouraged," Cunningham added.

"I thought we left four or five tries out on the field, especially first half [when] we had four entries into the 22 and came away with no points.

"It's being a bit more clinical now, that's what we need to do moving forward.

"It's composure and calmness when we are in those areas, it's confidence and belief as well.

"The occasion was fantastic, the atmosphere was brilliant, and it's having that clarity when you are under that sort of pressure.

"It's something we have to learn as quickly as we can."

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Wales were not helped by the absence of Jasmine Joyce, who was a late withdrawal with a hamstring strain.

Cunningham will hope the wing can return in time for Ireland, who have begun the Six Nations with defeats by France and Italy as their long wait for a win in the tournament goes on.

Wales were encouraged by the influence of their substitutes against England, with Alex Callender hailing the increased depth in Cunningham's squad in what is the third Six Nations campaign since the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) introduced professional contracts for female 15-a-side players in 2022.

"We haven't been in a position like that before, where our bench can make an impact, so that's a real positive for us going into Ireland," vice-captain Callender said.

"When we put England under pressure, we looked good, we looked dangerous.

"But we need to have that not just for 30, 40 minutes, we need to be in the game for 60, 70, 80 minutes."

Ireland 'a massive challenge'

Wales were comprehensive victors when they hosted Ireland in their first game of last year's Six Nations.

Cunningham's team went on to beat Scotland and Italy in that tournament as they finished third, the nation's best Six Nations performance in 14 years.

With France to come on 21 April before a meeting with Italy six days later, Wales will be desperate to get this year's campaign off the ground with a victory next time out - though Cunningham insists the Irish will represent a "massive challenge".

"Next week is a great opportunity to rest up and do some good review work into the England game," he added.

"There were positives we can take into Ireland."