Ioan Cunningham is looking for a response from his side ahead of their Six Nations clash with France at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.

After 36-5 defeat in Ireland last Saturday, Wales sit bottom of the table having lost all three games in the 2024 edition.

With Wales going into Sunday’s match with France as underdogs, Cunningham have urged his side to “focus on performance” rather than the result.

“It’s all we can control at the moment,” said Cunningham.

“We were very disappointed by our performance in Ireland. We’ve got a to take the criticism on the chin, but the response we want this week, that’s the biggest message.

“The specifics have been huge to our game over the last 18 months. Our DNA has all been about our work off the ball and it was missing against Ireland.

“That’s something we’ve got to focus on this week.”

Cunningham has been open throughout this tournament that he would rotate his team to give some of the less experienced members of his squad a chance to stake a claim for a spot at next year’s World Cup.

Winger Catherine Richards and fly-half Mollie Wilkinson will make their debuts against France, with experienced players Jasmine Joyce, Keira Bevan, and Bethan Lewis dropping out.

“It’s great to have new faces,” said Cunningham.

“One thing we said we were committed to at the start of this campaign was to expose some new talent and young talent to the group. And we’ve stuck true to that regardless of results. So it’s pretty exciting to see these players get the opportunity.

“We are looking for a response [from those dropped to the bench].

“Again, it’s that part of that process of growing depth and giving players exposure at this level and knowing that we have experience on the bench. They can come on and make that impact hopefully.”

Another beneficiary of Cunningham’s rotational policy is full-back Kayleigh Powell.

Powell, recently returning from a long lay-off due to an ACL injury, began all three of Wales’ previous games on the bench, but has been handed a start for this Sunday’s match.

“Coming off the bench, it’s just given me that push and desire to get that starting jersey,” said Powell.

“I’m thankful to actually get it and yes, we are underdogs against France but let’s see what I can do.

“Our confidence has taken a bit of a knock after the Ireland game, but this week we are just focusing on what we can control and what we are good at. Going back to basics and having confidence in ourselves.

“We are good players, that’s why we are here, that’s why we finished top three last year, so we definitely can do it. We’ve just got to show up and show we can against France.”

While mostly a full-back, Powell has played fly-half at both club and international level and is looking to reduce the burden on the current incumbent of the number 10 jersey, Lleucu George.

“Having both of us in the team is only going to benefit us,” Powell added.

“We can play that attacking rugby when there’s two receivers on the pitch. I can also help Lleucu when it comes to kicking as well, take a bit of pressure of her by having multiple options of kickers.”

Lock Natalia John is another player that has had to fight for her starting shirt, with other experienced options such as Georgia Evans and Abbie Fleming forming strong depth in the second row.

John is keen for her team to show how much they love playing the sport, rather than getting caught up in the criticism that the team has come under this week.

“We’ve had a lot of criticism about not been being clinical enough and I just think it’s come down to the fact that all the other teams are developing,” said John.

“We’ve taken a step back and asked ourselves ‘What are we really good at and what can we bring to this game now?’

“For us, it’s about enjoying it because that’s what it’s all about. Rugby is about playing with a smile on your face.

“We always want to perform. No one puts a Welsh jersey on and doesn’t want to perform.

“For us, it’s just stripping it back and just doing what we’re really good at and doing it really well. So, I think that’s maybe what we’ve lacked in the past games. We’ve gone away and tried some new things, but now it’s time to go back to what we’re good at and hopefully take it to France.

“Physicality is a big thing and, you know, fair play to Ireland. They did shock us. They came out firing, so I think it’s just about matching that physicality and having that hunger to win those 50/50 battles.”