Celtic Challenge can help Wales improve - Lynn

Wales head coach Sean Lynn won three Premiership Women's Rugby titles with Gloucester-Hartpury

Head coach Sean Lynn says Wales are "in a tough place" after their early Women's Rugby World Cup exit and believes the Celtic Challenge is vital to turning around their fortunes.

Lynn took over as boss at the start of the year but has suffered nine defeats from 10 games at the helm.

Wales endured a Six Nations whitewash and were also knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages after heavy defeats to Scotland and Canada then a nightmare loss to Fiji.

"We are in a tough place, there is no getting away from that," said Lynn, who has pledged to conduct a "robust review" after the World Cup exit.

Wales headed into the global tournament with hope after an excellent win against the Wallaroos in Brisbane, even though they were thrashed in Sydney the following weekend.

But Lynn, who coached Gloucester-Hartpury to three Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) titles before leaving to lead his country, wants his players to get more club game-time following Wales' World Cup disappointment.

Players who are contracted by the Welsh Rugby Union and are not getting minutes with their English side will get the chance to play in Wales.

"The Celtic Challenge is key for us and we have to be strategic about how Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning provides game-time for our players," said Lynn, who was given some hope by the young talent in his squad.

"We need players to be regular playing rugby and not just training, so that means if they do not play for an English club, we want them to play in the Celtic Challenge.

"There is no substitute for playing regular games at the highest level possible and that will mean we will have players battle-hardened and ready for the Six Nations."

Lynn criticised the fitness of his squad shortly after taking the reins and plans to continue to drive up standards as he looks to ensure Wales are ready for the demands of international rugby.

"Players who are not playing regular rugby in the PWR will be expected to play and train with one of the Celtic Challenge sides," he said.

"We will hold regular coaching and strength and conditioning sessions at the National Centre of Excellence so we can monitor where players are and what support and guidance they need.

"One area we do intend to tackle is to increase the training load on WRU-contracted players to mirror that of PWR clubs. We intend to be much more hands-on with the Celtic Challenge and to be part of the strategy heading into the next Test match window."