Following a record 38-8 defeat to Scotland in their Women’s Rugby World Cup opener, Wales have to beat world number two Canada in order to qualify from Pool B.

Despite facing a Scotland side embroiled in a similar contractual battle with their Union that the Wales team were last year, Sean Lynn’s side could not compete with the physicality and speed of their opponents.

“I’m very disappointed, I said to the players at the end of the game ‘that’s just not good enough’,” Lynn said.

“We can’t keep saying it, we have to start delivering.”

Wales’ knockout hopes now hinge on beating the world’s second best team when they take on Canada next week.

Canada thrashed group minnows Fiji 65-7 in their tournament opener, with six tries in 22 minutes for fullback Julia Schell.

“We just need to try and get something out of Canada,” Lynn added.

“There are some slip-ups in the World Cup, we’ve seen it in the men’s game.

“We can only concentrate going in to Canada next week and making sure that we do not have a performance like that.”

From the players’ point of view, the group are still hurting from the shock defeat to Scotland.

“Right now it’s pure disappointment and frustration,” said Wales hooker Kelsey Jones after the final whistle in Manchester.

“We’re absolutely gutted, but it’s a really good opportunity now to reflect.

“We’ve got nothing to lose, we need to step it up and go against Canada – and a great opportunity against Fiji as well. You never know what can happen, I’m optimistic.”

Wales return to Salford Community Stadium to take on Canada on Saturday and Jones sees it as an opportunity to redeem themselves.

“There are things that we’ve got to look forward to, we’re playing in a World Cup and what an occasion it is,” she said.

“You never know what can happen in rugby, it depends on who turns up on the day, so we’re really excited for the opportunity to go out there at least two more times.

“Canada is going to be a huge challenge, we know that they’re physical.

“We say ‘we’re going to be a hard team to beat’, unfortunately we didn’t prove that, so I think we have an opportunity to prove that we can be a hard team to beat.

“We’ll just throw it all at Canada and see what we can do.”

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