By Gwyn Jones Former Wales captain and flanker

Wales' draw with Italy was so disappointing because it was a chance to put the Mike Ruddock fiasco to rest, move the agenda forward and concentrate on rugby.

Italy disrupted Wales' forward platform

Now the speculation and criticism will continue.

It must be affecting performances because the squad are besieged by the media. Wales is a small, inward-looking country - but it has to be said that some of the blame for their predicament does lie with the team.

Wales started well against the Azzurri, as they have done in all their Six Nations games this season, but after the first 20 minutes teams get used to the style of play and defend it with some ease.

The match then disintegrated into a mess, which is such a shame because people expect more from this Wales side.

They want to play sexy rugby, but the game hasn't changed for the front five. For them it's always been about being rough and tough, and Scott Johnson's team need more assertiveness in that area.

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There were poor calls at the line-out, the decision to throw long to Martyn Williams leading directly to Italy's first try - even if the video referee should never have awarded it!

Italy pushed Wales around at the line-out, Marco Bortolami repeatedly targeting captain Michael Owen, and there was nobody having a word with the referee or being pro-active enough to stop it.

Owen's selection has caused some debate, but personally I thought he had the game from number eight to open up the Italians.

There's no doubt he's more of a ball user than a ball carrier, though, and he needs to do more work closer to the ball.

We are at the end of an evolution cycle with this team Gwyn Jones' analysis Pick your Wales XV

I would bring Alix Popham in at number eight to face France, with Dafydd Jones on the blind-side and Martyn Williams at open-side.

In the second row Wales have been lacking authority and physical presence all Championship, and I would think about Adam Jones, who impressed for the Scarlets against Bath.

We also have a Lions Test loose-head prop on the bench in Gethin Jenkins, and he needs to be seriously considered.

Michael Phillips will obviously start at scrum-half with Dwayne Peel injured, and I would also look at Gavin Henson in the centre.

We need more variation in midfield - Matthew Watkins and Hal Luscombe offer similar things - and although Henson was very poor against Ireland he does give contrast.

Overall it does seem that we are at the end of an evolution cycle with this team, there's been a long-term deterioration from the start of the autumn internationals.

Having said that, it is still reasonable to look for a win against France.

They are coming to Cardiff looking for the Championship, but their long-term focus is the World Cup and they will be relaxed and seeking to play rugby.

It will be an open game, but Wales must be more physical and aggressive up front before they look to spread it wide.

Scrum V

*Jones was speaking on BBC Wales' Scrum V rugby programme