Wales deliver performance of serious promise

Wales have set themselves a new standard after an impressive eight-try victory over South Africa in their WXV opener.

It was a score even the most optimistic of fans could not have predicted, but the 50-19 scoreboard shone bright under Cardiff's Friday night lights.

Sean Lynn's side have been dealt their share of criticism in recent years, and understandably so with a winless World Cup and three Six Nations wooden spoons.

But they were unrecognisable in the Welsh capital as players shook off the shackles of the past and delivered a performance of real promise.

The new-look backline attacked with flair, the forwards carried with intent and so many players stood tall, all under the watchful eye of British and Irish Lions Women's coach Jo Yapp.

Lynn had included three uncapped players in his matchday 23 and while they looked every bit at home in the international arena, it was the mainstays who most impressed.

Former Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies described Sisilia Tuipulotu's two-try display as world class and it would be hard to disagree.

The tighthead prop looked back to her bulldozing best, while Georgia Evans had a superb game at lock. Each would have been a worthy recipient of player of the match, but the accolade went to co-captain fantastic Alex Callender, the flanker showing what a miss she had been during the Six Nations.

Keira Bevan was a constant threat playing out of position at fly-half, while Lisa Neumann had one of her best games in a Wales shirt while filling in at full-back.

As for the newbies, Lynn said Freya Bell was "outstanding" on her first Wales start, while former Cardiff City footballer Amy Williams showed the speed and strength which makes her a hugely exciting prospect on the wing.

This was Lynn's third victory since taking over as Wales head coach last year and he said he could not be prouder.

"There have been some tough times, but you've got to have those adverse times," he said.

"Those 23 players were aligned in everything, both sides of the ball, and they had that belief of how hard we worked in pre-season.

"The growth in our skill development has been the underpin of everything.