![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_JS396651245.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe latest rugby stories making headlines on the evening of Monday, February 16<\/p>\n
Wales were crushed by France at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
These are your evening headlines on Monday, February 16.<\/p>\n
Internationals stunned at Wales defending<\/p>\n
Chris Ashton believes Steve Tandy’s players need to start taking more responsibility for his side’s defensive issues.<\/p>\n
Wales conceded eight tries as they were comfortably despatched by France, who eased their way to a 54-14 win<\/a>, their biggest ever over a Welsh side.<\/p>\n It’s merely the latest of a number of heavy defeats Wales have suffered in their last few Test matches, with Wales conceding 42 tries in their last six outings.<\/p>\n Analysing the game for the BBC’s Rugby Special, John Barclay says finding some sort of defensive solidity has to now be the main priority for Tandy, as he bids to pick his side back up for the upcoming clash with Scotland this weekend.<\/p>\n “The biggest problem is the defence,” Barclay said. “Over the last seven games the average number of tries conceded is seven tries.<\/p>\n “We can talk about their attack and missed opportunities.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/strong><\/p>\n “But if you’re conceding this many tries in the last six games you’ve played, you’ve got no chance.”<\/p>\n Colleague Ashton, also on punditry duties, added that the players themselves have to take greater responsibility, and said some of the defending wouldn’t be considered acceptable at club level, never mind on the international stage.<\/p>\n “Some of it’s got to lie with the players,” he added when asked what could be changed to tighten things up.<\/p>\n “Even at club level, you shouldn’t be seeing the pictures we’re seeing.<\/p>\n “We’re seeing wingers way inside the posts and leaving the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey in 30m [of space].<\/p>\n “At club you know that feels wrong. As a player you understand where you should be on the pitch and space you should be filling. They’re getting that really wrong.<\/p>\n “Zammit’s at the back and playing 15 for attacking. But the feel just doesn’t feel right so some of those players have got to take responsibility in what’s right and what’s wrong.<\/p>\n “Then start to move forward with it.”<\/p>\n Ireland launch Six Nations investigation<\/p>\n By Edward Elliot, Press Association<\/p>\n The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is investigating \u201ccowardly\u201d racist abuse directed at Edwin Edogbo following his international debut.<\/p>\n