Forwards grunt work key to Wales' pleasing start

Wales' front five have been a point of difference in the first two rounds of the Championship according to the side's jubilant head coach and captain. Boss Ioan Cunningham and skipper Hannah Jones heaped praise on the pack for their tireless work after wins against Ireland and Scotland. Ad For the second year running Wales have picked up maximum points from their opening two games but look far better equipped to back up a promising start after the fallow week, something they failed to do 12 months ago.

RugbyPlayer of the Match Bern relishing new role for EnglandYESTERDAY AT 15:07 For head coach Cunningham, the grit and guts shown by his front five has been a vital component of their early success, with the front row of Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu all coming off in the final minute of the 34-22 win over Scotland. «The front five have been excellent, especially Sisilia Tuipulotu,» he said. «She's been awesome in the first two games and given us front-foot ball and the opportunity to go forward and play through teams.

»I'm very proud of everyone. Credit to Scotland, they came back at us and scored some nice tries. To stay in that and score at the end was pleasing.

It was an arm wrestle." Ahead of the visit of England to Cardiff Arms Park in Round 3, Cunningham is looking to sharpen up his side’s discipline, with 29 penalties conceded across the first two matches. A yellow card to centre Kerin Lake on the stroke of half-time against Scotland could well have proved costly but Cunningham’s side were let off the hook by the home side, who failed to convert from close range on two occasions. «We have to look at our discipline,» said Cunningham.