Women's Six Nations 2024: Wales hoping to 'inspire' nation, says coach Ioan Cunningham
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Wales have three home games in this year's Six Nations and are hoping for more record crowds
Head coach Ioan Cunningham is hoping Wales can "inspire the nation" with success in the 2024 Women's Six Nations.
Wales men are staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon decider with Italy, having lost all four games so far.
Meanwhile, the women are looking to build on last year's campaign, in which they finished third.
Wins over Ireland, Scotland and Italy secured their best finish since 2009 and a world-ranking high of sixth.
Cunningham has named seven uncapped players in his 37-strong squad and said "there is a lot of excitement" before their tournament opener against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, 23 March.
Asked what Wales will bring to the table this year, Cunningham replied: "Loads of passion and entertaining rugby.
"We want to inspire the nation as much as we can and leave the jersey in a better place."
He told BBC Sport Wales there is a "different feel in the group this year", with young talent like Nel Metcalfe, Gwennan Hopkins and Catherine Richards coming into camp as his most experienced campaigners Caryl Thomas, Elinor Snowsill and more recently Sioned Harries called time on their careers.
Wales captain Hannah Jones is excited about the prospect of a new-look squad.
"The ambition is to win every game. We can take confidence from coming third last year," she said.
"It's really exciting to see where we're at, we've got new players coming in and experienced players taking different roles.
"I'm a big believer in focusing on the process, working hard and the results will follow."
Wales will play their final 2024 Women's Six Nations game against Italy at Principality Stadium
Cunningham said Wales' target is cementing third place for a third successive year, a feat which would once again secure them a place in the top tier of WXV.
"It's everything for us, we have to be ambitious and try and get into tier one again, that's where we want to be," he said.
"We took a lot of learnings from last year's competition and to have that chance again would be great for us."
Wales suffered heavy defeats against Canada, New Zealand and Australia in New Zealand last autumn, in a sobering campaign after the high of the Six Nations.
Jones said it was a "steep learning" curve for her side.
"To be in that position you learn a lot quickly, but I think what we can take from that is being relentless in our daily habits - we've got to have standards on and off the field, it affects everything," she said.
"Getting the ball in the wide channels is what I'd like to see a little bit more of - play some attacking rugby."
Wales have 32 full-time professional players heading into this campaign, with Jasmine Joyce and Kayleigh Powell released from GB sevens duty.
And despite Wales enjoying victories over Ireland, Scotland and Italy last year, Cunningham is not taking anything for granted.
"It's going to be a challenge because other teams are getting better, other teams are producing new players," he said.
"It all starts with our first game, a tough one at home against Scotland, and that creates your momentum."
Closing the gap
England secured a fifth successive Grand Slam title last year and Cunningham believes Wales still have a long way to go before closing the gap on the Red Roses.
"England are definitely streets ahead of everyone else, you only need to look at the squad that has been announced, there's probably another two squads out there that are good enough," he said.
"Our challenge is to close that gap, but the other teams are working hard to keep that gap as wide as possible."
A host of changes will come into force in this year's Women's Six Nations, including the bunker referee system, the shot clock, instrumental mouthguards and names on the back of shirts.
Jones says the names is a nice touch to bring the women's game in line with the men's.
"Little girls and boys can get to know our numbers, our names," she said. "As a little girl I would have loved to have seen that happen."
She hopes Wales' home games will continue to attract sell-out crowds, after 8,862 fans turned out to see their 2023 England encounter.
"Filling out Cardiff Arms Park is an amazing experience, you can really feel the crowd around you and we'd like to thank the fans for creating that atmosphere," she said.
"Hopefully that comes again with the last game being at the Principality."