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Wales players back Lynn '100%' before Italy game

BBC Sport

The 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 the team, 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. " Sean Lynn took over at the start of the 2025 Six Nations and could be forgiven for five straight defeats last year given limited preparation time. But a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign followed in the summer, with Wales suffering 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 Bevan admits would be welcome to Wales' backroom staff. Aoife Wafer scores twice as Ireland beat Wales 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, before last weekend's uninspired showing in Belfast. "It did feel like a backwards step, but we have to be positive," said Bevan.