WALES captain Robin McBryde has admitted that Welsh rugby has become a laughing stock following their dismal run of eight defeats in a row.

The icing on the cake came with a humiliating reverse against New Zealand last month but the Llanelli hooker believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.

And with the World Cup just around the corner, McBryde feels that now is the time for the Welsh team to turn the corner.

"It's got to the point that we have now become something of a laughing stock following the run of defeats.

"We've had such a poor run of defeats and everyone within the Wales set-up realises that we haven't done well.

"Although I didn't play in the Six Nations, I can speak for the rest of lads who all know that they let themselves down during the tournament.

"But we have been improving and we showed signs of improvement during the tour.

"On another day, we could have escaped from Australia with a win but we were unfortunate to face a backlash against New Zealand and lessons need to be learnt from that game.

"We just couldn't cope with there pace and power and I've noticed that, for the first time in pre-season training, there has been more emphasis on that area of the game.

"But it's all very well doing this training. Unless we start doing the little things better, then there is no point in us taking the field.

"They are basic things that we need to start doing well if we are to move forward and get a win," added McBryde.

Wales now have a perfect opportunity to do it with an Autumn international against Romania to look forward to.

But McBryde, who is one of four Wales captains now, feels that unless the Principality claim a least two victories in their August internationals then they will have let themselves down.

"Everyone expects to beat Romania and that is fair enough," said McBryde.

"It would be lovely to get that first win out of the way so that we can stop the rot.

"But unless we win at least two games then I feels we have seriously let ourselves and everybody else down.

"We were unlucky to lose to Ireland in the Six Nations so we'll go to Dublin knowing that if we play well then we can win.

"It was desperately disappointing to lose in the fashion we did and we'll be keen to put that right.

"And you never know, one win could really turn things around, it would set up the other internationals nicely and we could start a roll going into the World Cup."

Meanwhile, Romania have named their squad for the forthcoming match against Wales in Wrexham, August 27.

Among the squad are 12 of the 15 players who started against Wales last November for their return to the Racecourse Ground on August 27.