WALES were given a Six Nations hammering by Ireland in Cork to leave them fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.

Ioan Cunningham’s side were thrashed 36-5 by the Irish and prop up the table with a solitary losing bonus point.

Wales, who finished third last year, now host France at Cardiff Arms Park before finishing against Italy at Principality Stadium.

They had the wind behind their backs in the first half at Musgrave Park but trailed 21-0 at the break after tries by Aoife Wafer, Eve Higgins and Neve Jones.

Katie Corrigan and Beibhinn Parsons crossed before one positive from a horror show – a consolation by debutant Gwennan Hopkins.

Wales have now lost six games on the spin and need to turn things around quickly for the clash with France.

"It's disappointing, it's going to hurt, we've really got to look at ourselves as individuals," said captain Hannah Jones.

"We didn't turn up, we weren't good enough. It's about the want as well, you can talk about technical and tactical all day, but if the want isn't there, we're not going to win games.

"I don't think we've shown our best at the moment. We're going to be desperate for a performance in both games at home.”