Spectre of England looms large for Wales in Six Nations

Wales have lost their past seven games in the Six Nations [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Sean Lynn insists Wales are closing the gap on the world's top nations despite another bruising defeat. Lynn's wait for a Six Nations victory goes on after his side were out-played 38-7 by France in Cardiff. And the odds of seven successive championship defeats stretching to eight look extremely high as they prepare to face England next.

Even the most optimistic Wales fan will be fearful of what the world and defending Six Nations champions could inflict at Ashton Gate next Saturday after their remarkable 84-7 thrashing of Scotland. "I watched the first ten minutes of that game in the hotel before [Wales' match]. England have got a lot of firepower haven't they," said Lynn.

"I watched them against Ireland last week as well and you can see they have just got so much pace in the backs in Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne. "The big focus has to be on us, how do we move the dial, how are we fixing our processes in attack and defence. " Wales have now lost 11 of their past 12 Tests and while they were rarely expected to beat France, they certainly had the visitors rattled at the Arms Park.

Pressure up front led to two swift yellow cards, either side of a penalty try, and plenty of uncharacteristic errors from Les Bleues. But while Wales still held France to 7-7 at half-time, their failure to capitalise on a nine-minute period against 13 players told a story. They also struggled to contain the inevitable backlash as France seized control with three tries in the space of 14 minutes early in the second half.