Lynn 'super proud' despite end of Wales' World Cup hopes

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Wales v Fiji

Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter Date: Saturday, 6 September Kick-off: 14:45 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online and app, Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds

Despite their six-try defeat to Canada and subsequent World Cup elimination, Wales head coach Sean Lynn cut a much happier figure in this week's post-match press duties.

Wales needed to beat the world's second-best team to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockouts alive, but their 42-0 loss means they will not be involved in the quarter-finals.

Canada, as predicted, cemented their status as tournament challengers but Wales were far from bullied off the park in a much improved performance.

They were the better team in the opening stages, but could not find a way through a dogged defence.

"We knew today was going to be a big ask... but I'm super proud of those girls," said Lynn.

Wales had made seven starting changes after last weekend's record defeat to Scotland, with Lynn sending a warning to his players "if you don't perform, you're out".

Experienced forwards Georgia Evans and Abbie Fleming adding some much-needed physicality to the pack, while Bryonie King did herself justice in the back row.

Carys Cox looked threatening in the midfield and furthered her case to start next week against a Fiji side also eliminated from the tournament.

"In the first 15 to 20 minutes we could see the physicality side of it, I saw improvements, and that's what I wanted," said Lynn.

"When I went in at half-time I told the girls 'just empty those tanks in the next 40 minutes'.

"The big thing for me was that in the last 15, 20 minutes there was a glimpse of what I want to see; being brave, moving the ball and getting individuals with the ball in hand."

Sean Lynn has been in charge of Wales for six months

Lynn was quick to credit the performance of semi-professional Canada.

"We knew today was going to be a big ask, you look at Canada and just the way they move the ball, they're an offloading team," he said.

But at the same time the former Gloucester-Hartpury boss was relatively happy with what he saw from his side.

"I asked for a positive reaction and that's something we got. Everything we did out there I was very impressed with and we've got to move forward with small steps," he said.

"I'm a proud Welshman and I'm coaching at the World Cup. I'm relishing it and I feel that with this squad of players that we've got we can be moving forward very soon."

With 17 tries in the opening two rounds, Canada have certainly laid down a marker to the likes of England and reigning champions New Zealand.

And after confirming their place in the quarter-finals, Canada are heavily fancied to make the final at Twickenham.

They finish the pool stages against Scotland next weekend, while Wales have a reunion with former head coach Ioan Cunningham and his Fiji side.