Wales’ “painful” Women’s Six Nations results have prompted calls for the Welsh Rugby Union to do more to support the women’s game.
Wales have so far conceded 15 tries in two Tests and worryingly have yet to register a single point.
The latest defeat, against a fellow amateur side in Ireland, led to an outburst on social media, while the players themselves were praised.
The WRU said Covid-19 had delayed the impact of its increased investment.
In a statement, the Union said it was “committed to developing the female game in Wales”.
It said an increased budget to support all levels, from grassroots to elite, was approved just before the global pandemic hit.
This was alongside additional coaching appointments and performance staff for the national squad, while its hub programme to boost participation recently restarted with the rest of the community game which has been on hold for the past 13 months in Wales.
“Whilst the onset of the pandemic has delayed the impact of this increased investment, we remain confident that the agreed strategy will accelerate the development of female rugby from top to bottom,” the statement said.
The WRU’s former chief executive, Martyn Phillips, said last year he would like paid contracts for leading players in place before the 2021 World Cup, but that tournament has been postponed until 2022.