Wales Women annihilated by England in final World Cup warm-up

Wales Women were torn apart 73-7 by rampant England in their final match before next month's Rugby World Cup. Despite the recent move towards professionalism and weeks of brutal training camps, this game served as a reminder Wales have a long way to go before they can begin to compete with the world's best team.

England ran in 11 tries in total, with player-of-the-match Helena Rowland scoring a hat-trick as the Welsh defence was opened up time and again. Wales, of course, were full of heart but their opponents were simply bigger, stronger, fitter and better in every department that matters.

The Welsh scrum in particular endured a horror night as it was obliterated on numerous occasions and Wales just could not get any sort of sustained possession amid a monstrous penalty count. Most of England's tries came from their dominant set-piece platform, which Wales just couldn't stop.

Wales did score an early try of their own through Gwen Crabb, doing to England what the Red Roses do to so many by powering over from a driving maul, to level the scores at 7-7. But it was all downhill from there as a disjointed, ill-disciplined display was mercilessly punished by England, who secured a world record 25th consecutive win.

Wales, in contrast, have now lost their last five matches, and this was a worse defeat to England than the 58-5 loss in the Six Nations. This Welsh team head to New Zealand as the best prepared side the country has ever had. The problem is, they are not the only ones.