Warren Gatland has lamented “discipline and soft penalties” as key components behind Wales’ heaviest Six Nations house defeat for 22 years.
Gatland’s crew will head to Edinburgh subsequent weekend for an appointment with resurgent Scotland, figuring out that their match hopes and ambitions are already beneath intense scrutiny.
A 34-10 loss to title favourites Ireland on the Principality Stadium shredded any fairy-tale script that may have accompanied Gatland’s return for his second stint as Wales head coach.
It ended up being Wales’ largest Six Nations reversal in Cardiff since Ireland crushed them 36-6 in 2001.
And whereas Wales have received on six of their final seven visits to Murrayfield, Scotland’s memorable Calcutta Cup triumph towards England has elevated their diploma of problem.
“The discipline and soft penalties cost us,” Gatland stated.
“I think there were about 16 penalties (in total), which just isn’t good enough. You need to get that down to under 10 in international rugby.”
Wales conceded 27 factors in the course of the first 27 minutes, such was Ireland’s domination amid thumping affirmation of their present standing because the world’s high crew.
And whereas Wales’ second-half show confirmed huge enchancment – together with high-quality shows by younger prospects Rio Dyer, Joe Hawkins and Jac Morgan – the harm had already been achieved.
Gatland added: “We created a number of chances but we weren’t clinical enough to finish them.
“There were definitely some good moments. We made some nice breaks and I thought we had some really good momentum in the (Ireland) 22, but just didn’t come away with those points.
“At the end of the game, I said in my head that I actually wasn’t that disappointed with our performance. In the past, we’ve been able to work hard and fix things.”
Gatland will make not less than one change for the Scotland conflict, with lock Alun Wyn Jones dominated out after failing a head harm evaluation.
Exeter’s Dafydd Jenkins is more likely to be handed a primary Test begin as his alternative, whereas Gatland will want updates on prop Tomas Francis, who went off at half-time due to a calf muscle problem.
Underlining the gamers’ sense of frustration, Dyer stated: “We let them get into the flow of things a little bit too much, and we ended up just chasing the game instead of being in control of it.
“If you lose a game, I think no matter what, you can be positive about parts of the performance, but there are obviously some things that haven’t gone right that need to be criticised.
“We all knew that first-half wasn’t good enough. If we carried on playing the same way, teams like that could easily put 60 points on you.
“It was on us to go out there and show that we didn’t want to mess around, and that showed in the second half.”
