Another heavy defeat for Wales. Yet another record loss at the Principality Stadium.
It is hard to judge Welsh rugby results these days after Steve Tandy's side suffered a 54-12 thrashing by France in Cardiff. It is just the same old story as they now turn their attention to the visit of Scotland next Saturday.
Wales suffered more misery as Les Bleus romped to an eight-try victory with the hosts wilting again for a 13th straight Six Nations defeat.
France transformed a Test match into an exhibition of carefree rugby as the visitors claimed their biggest Six Nations triumph in the Welsh capital.
Home hammerings have become the norm with Wales having conceded 50 points on more than five occasions in under a year at the Principality Stadium.
Argentina, South Africa, England and France have all achieved record wins in Cardiff in the past 11 months, while Wales have now suffered 10 successive Six Nations home losses in a sequence that stretches back four years.
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Tandy optimism despite heavy defeat
Welsh rugby is in continued disarray and has suffered a new lowest ever Six Nations crowd for Cardiff, as supporters begin to vote with their feet.
French fans took over the Principality Stadium and Welsh rugby bosses should be grateful they attended in such numbers.
Given all of this, you might have expected to see a dejected Welsh response after the game. Witnessing the players in another losing huddle after even more heartbreak is tough to watch.
Wales coach Tandy tried to remain positive, viewing it as an improvement on the opening 48-7 defeat by England - correct, although coming from a very low bar.
There should not be much cause for optimism but Wales are desperately trying to find it as they cite a better set-piece and discipline.
"We are disappointed with the scoreline but there was more in us in parts of the game," said Tandy.
"I know you're all looking at me like I'm stupid, with the path we're on, but there were glimpses with the set-piece and intent of how we wanted to go after the game.
"There was enough where we can go back on Tuesday and work on things.
"It's not the scoreline we want but it's part of the journey we're on. Every nation is at different stages.
"We've got to focus on the things we did better, like discipline, and recognise there's areas we need to grow."
How do Wales justify progress to fans?
This was the fifth time in six games under Tandy that Wales have shipped more than 40 points.
There have been 302 points and 42 tries conceded during Tandy's tenure, an average of 50 points and seven tries per game.
Wales have now lost 23 out of the previous 25 Test matches since the 2023 World Cup.
So Tandy was asked how he could justify any positivity to fans who had witnessed Wales suffer another heavy defeat.
"I'm a coach, I understand as well," said Tandy.
"Most people see the outcome and people will comment on things without always seeing the data.
"I've got an understanding of where we are. We've got young players and combinations coming in, we have to go through and experience it."
Tandy insists his view is an optimistic one.
"I knew the challenge that it was, coming into Wales," he added.
"It excites me about where we can go. Hopefully we can look back in 18 months time or whenever it is, and this was a part of it.
"We can't click our fingers and be one of the best in the world. It's a process."
'We have played the best sides in the world'
Tandy also pointed to Wales having played the top four ranked sides in the world in the past four matches, with those losses against New Zealand, South Africa, England and France.
"There's also the context of the six games we've played," said Tandy, whose solitary win came against Japan with the last kick of the game.
"If you look at the teams we're playing, not that it's an excuse for the numbers of points we're conceding, we're playing ruthless sides.
"So there has to be an understanding of who we're playing. We know where we want to be as a team, but also know where we are.
"We're 11th in the world and have won two in 20-plus games."
The former Ospreys coach insists patience is required, stressing improvements "won't come overnight".
"For me as a coach, it's seeing where we are growing," outlined Tandy.
"You might not see the bits adding together but I believe it when I'm seeing the training week, with the mindset of the boys and how they keep coming back.
"We've got some young kids and it'll take time."
Conceding 50 points is demoralising
Tandy accepted it was demoralising to concede more than 50 points again at home.
"That's where we're at this time," said Tandy.
"We've conceded lots of yellow cards and points.
"It's not an effort-based thing. There's things we need to tidy up.
"It's something we're working hard to address."
The former Scotland and Lions defence coach insisted there is a balance to getting everything right as a team.
"It's at the forefront of what we're trying to do but with the game at the minute, there are more points being scored than before.
"With the way it's being refereed, you get on the wrong side of them and it can rack up pretty easily.
"It's something we're working hard to address. We're not going to win games by conceding 50 points.
"We're keen to address and build confidence in what we're trying to do."
Wales were much more positive - Lake
Wales captain Dewi Lake agreed with Tandy's assessment that his side had delivered an improved performance against France.
"It's weird to say looking at the scoreline but we were much better than we were last week for large parts of that game," claimed Lake.
"France are a team near the top of the world and can create things out of absolutely nothing.
"They scored some world-class tries and have some world-class individuals.
"We know there's things to mop up but we won't hide away from that fact, or that we're disappointed with the scoreboard.
"But, all in all, we were much more positive."
Lake says the character of his squad cannot be questioned.
"The boys are never going to give up on a result or a Test match or a ball on the floor, anything like that," said Lake.
"As captain, I don't need to say anything. Those boys are ready to go anyway."
Welsh fans will not doubt the players' heart.
They are, though, right to question the quality of the national squad and the WRU's stewardship of the game in Wales.
Record defeats are being normalised and the world rugby public are pitying this once proud nation.
That is where Welsh rugby currently stands. It is hard to be optimistic about that.
