Neil Jenkins is confident that current pain can become long-term gain for Wales by the time they arrive at this year’s World Cup.
Two years after winning the Guinness Six Nations title and going within touching distance of a Grand Slam, Wales could end up with a first wooden spoon since 2003.
They face Italy in Rome on Saturday, when the losers are likely to finish bottom of this season’s championship. Wales have lost three successive games since Warren Gatland returned as head coach, while his predecessor Wayne Pivac oversaw just three wins from his last 12 Tests at the helm.
Gatland’s men have five fixtures left before the World Cup – Italy and France away, followed by tournament warm-up appointments with England (twice) and South Africa – before a tricky competition opener against Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10.