Wales make disastrous start to World Cup campaign as Scotland run riot

Wales Women made a disastrous start to the Rugby World Cup as they suffered a heavy 38-8 defeat to Scotland Women in Salford.

Sean Lynn's side were outclassed throughout but the Wales boss will be extremely disappointed at the porous nature of the defence. Wales' tackling was non-existent at times as Scotland ran riot in the opening game of the World Cup, leaving Lynn's side with an uphill battle if they want to reach the quarter-finals with one of the tournament favourites Canada also in their pool

Scotland scored six tries in total with Francesca McGhie claiming a hat-trick while Leia Brebner-Holden, Evie Gallagher and Emma Orr also touched down. Helen Nelson contributed eight points from the kicking tee.

All Wales could muster was a single try from Alex Callender and three points from the boot of Keira Bevan.

Wales made the worst possible start as McGhie crossed at the corner after just one minute of play.

But Wales fought their way back into the game and after a period of pressure Callender powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.

Wales were back in the game but they could not find a way to break down Scotland's defence. Scotland had no such issues with a lovely pass from Nelson putting McGhie over for her second.

Bevan cut the deficit to two points with a successful penalty but Scotland were soon celebrating their third try when scrum-half Brebner-Holden sniped over from short range.

Wales threw the kitchen sink at Scotland at the stroke of half-time but could not get over the line meaning they trailed 17-8 at the interval.

The start to the second half was as disastrous as the first with McGhie running through some non-existent tackling from Wales to claim a hat-trick.

Things went from bad