Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Wales under pressure after early exit

Semi-professional Canada flexed their muscles by running 11 tries past Fiji and then easing past Wales, that after needing a fundraising campaign before the tournament.

‘Mission: Win World Cup 2025’ was launched to fill a $1m (£740k) shortfall in paying for the preparation plan.

Canada have 32 contracted players for this World Cup while Wales have 37.

The Welsh Rugby Union’s radical plans for elite rugby have put the men’s clubs of Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets at risk but they have also proposed the formation of two professional women’s teams.

The document stated an aim of providing a combined total of 80 players for those squads, which will rely on the pathway providing sufficient talent.

The governing body has been criticised for its backing and approach to the women’s game in the past, which has led to Wales playing catch-up with England and France.

However, wing Jasmine Joyce-Butchers made no excuses.

“To be honest I think we are in a good place in that we have got contracts in place, we get funded, we get a lot of help, our training facilities are fantastic,” said the three-time Olympian, who made her Wales debut in 2017.

“I don’t know what else could be done. As individuals we’ve potentially got to look at ourselves and do more to be better as a team.”

Lynn, formerly boss of Gloucester-Hartpury, raised concerns about Wales’ strength and conditioning after their Six Nations whitewash.

There are deeper problems and Bevan, who plays club rugby for Bristol Bears, pointed to the problems that new men’s head coach Steve Tandy will inherit.

“It’s a tough one because the men’s game in Wales probably isn’t where it needs to be either,” she said. “Their [the WRU] priority is probably the men’s game at the minute.

“I know a lot of us play our rugby in PWR (Premiership Women’s Rugby) so are getting good minutes and playing with and against the best in the world.”