Veteran lock Mike James has urged the International Rugby Board to take Canadian rugby more seriously after they left Wales with a bloody nose.

Canada, an amateur rugby nation, had Wales on the rack in Nantes yesterday and ran in three unanswered tries to lead 17-9 shortly after half-time.

Wales eventually pulled clear, scoring five times in the final half-hour following the introduction of senior players Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones off the bench.

But Canada certainly caused Wales a scare - and James called on the IRB to sit up and take notice, because the evidence is all around.

Not only did Argentina stun France in the opening match of the World Cup, but minnows Namibia, Portugal and the USA all gave more illustrious opponents a tough run for their money on the opening weekend.

James wants the IRB to offer more support to developing nations to help them close the gap on the established powers and create a truly global game.

``Despite all the efforts made by the guys, yesterday's game still showed the difference between an amateur team and a professional team,'' said James, who has spent a decade in Europe playing for Perpignan and Stade Francais.

``It is important to know we are still an amateur nation and we have only just started now getting money from the IRB.

``It is a paltry investment when I think of what money they give to other teams.

``I think they give about six times more money to Italy, who are in the Six Nations and have professional teams.

``Money is not the best solution for Canada, we need to put the right structures in place, but it would certainly help in the short term.''

After the game, Canada coach Ric Suggitt criticised the idea being discussed by the IRB to cut the next World Cup from 20 teams to 16 because it reduces the opportunities for developing nations.

``We are not shy about what we want to achieve and we will keep backing ourselves. No matter what all the critics say and all the nay-sayers say about the segregation of rugby, they can go stuff themselves,'' Suggitt said.