Wales players back boss Lynn 100% ahead of crunch Italy game

Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan says "nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than us" after suffering a ninth consecutive loss in the Women's Six Nations.

Wales' latest defeat by Ireland leaves them needing a win over Italy on Sunday (12:15 BST) to avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon, but even that might not be enough if Scotland claim a bonus point in Dublin.

Bevan says she "completely gets" the criticism aimed at her side, who have fallen to 12th in the world rankings, but urges fans to show patience.

"Yes, we probably haven't had the wins we want, but we are performing and getting better every game," she said.

"It's such a cliche, but stick with it because it's going to come and hopefully soon."

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Lynn has 'help in the background'

Sean Lynn took over at the start of the 2025 Six Nations and could be forgiven for five straight defeats given limited preparation time.

But a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign followed in the summer, where Wales suffered three group stage defeats for the first time in their history.

Six months on and Wales are staring down the barrel of another whitewash, but Bevan says Lynn still has the backing of the players to turn things around.

"Yes, 100% and the help he [Lynn] has as well in the background, it's massive," she said.

"Tyrone Holmes [defence coach] has been incredible for us. That's probably one of the shining lights of this campaign is how good we've been defensively.

"And obviously, Ash [Ashley Beck] has got such a way of attacking rugby and he wants you to express yourself.

"We've got the right people in the right place, it's just about us being able to execute what they're asking."

Wales are without a specialist kicking coach and breakdown coach, additions Bevans admits would be welcome to Wales' backroom staff.

A step back in Belfast

Wales had managed to glean some positives in their opening three defeats, notably the defensive efforts against Scotland and France and a best ever points haul against England.

But they would have to dig a little deeper after last weekend's uninspired showing in Belfast.

"It did feel like a bit of a backwards step, but I think for us now, we have to be positive," said Bevan

"We have to learn, learn quickly, and learn on the hoof as well. We have to try and fix problems in the game rather than wait until a Monday morning."

Attention now turns to Italy who travel to Cardiff Arms Park full of confidence after backing up a convincing 41-14 victory over Scotland by scoring five tries against England.

Bevan knows all too well about their attacking threat, having been in the side which suffered a record loss against the Azzure in Parma last year.

"We're under no illusions of what Italy can do," she said. "It wasn't a one-off last year because we've seen glimpses in this campaign of how physical and dominant they can be, so for us we've got to be on it.

"To get the win would be massive. It would set us up nicely heading into pre-season and then obviously the new WXV tournament as well, but we know we're going to have to work for it, it's not just going to come to us."