Warren Gatland let down as a lack of discipline spoils his return
Warren Gatland let down as a lack of discipline spoils his return as Wales head coach in 34-10 home defeat against Ireland
- A lack of discipline spoiled Warren Gatland’s return as Wales head coach
- Gatland’s side were disappointing as they were beaten 34-10 by Ireland
- Josh Adams stressed that there can’t be any excuses for Wales’ performance
Wales improved quickly the longer they spent under Warren Gatland’s guidance during his first trophy-laden spell as head coach.
But this was not the homecoming the New Zealander would have envisaged. For the Welsh Rugby Union, a humbling by Ireland was a huge disappointment after a fortnight of negative off-field headlines.
Gatland’s side simply did not turn up in the first half of his first game back in charge and Ireland needed no second invitation to take advantage.
Wales have had little time to acclimatise to a new coaching staff, but that is no excuse. Wing Josh Adams acknowledged as much. The bare facts are that they conceded 15 penalties — including nine in the first half — and missed 33 tackles. No team can win a Test producing those sorts of numbers.
‘No, definitely not. 100 per cent,’ said Adams, when asked if rustiness was a reason for Wales’ poor start. ‘There are no excuses. We definitely need to be better and you have to credit Ireland as well. They’re a good team. They’re physical and well drilled.
Warren Gatland was left frustrated with Wales’ lack of discipline as they lost to Ireland
‘The disappointing thing is that in the first 20 minutes of any game, whoever you’re playing, you expect to be fronting up in a close, tight contest. But they blew us away. That will be something we’ll look to try and improve.’
So with a trip to Scotland, after their impressive win over England, up next, can Wales improve in the space of just a week?
‘I’m definitely confident that will be the case,’ added Adams. Welsh supporters will hope he is right.
There is no disgrace in losing to Ireland right now. Andy Farrell’s team are rightly No 1 in the world and showed how good they are.
The frustration for Wales will be that in the first 40 they handed Ireland the keys to the Principality Stadium by conceding a string of needless penalties. It allowed Johnny Sexton to give his team field position and Ireland are ruthless in their opposition’s 22.
Josh Adams insisted that there aren’t any excuses for Wales’ disappointing performance
Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe all scored within the first 21 minutes and Wales were never coming back. That sucked the life out of a capacity crowd in desperate need of something to cheer after the build-up was dominated by allegations of sexism and misogyny at the WRU.
Welsh rugby’s governing body also banned its choir from singing Delilah. Their supporters belted it out regardless.
‘We said after the game that it was disappointing, of course it is,’ said Adams. ‘But the feeling we had was we wish the Scotland game was sooner because we’re all so eager to go and put that right as soon as possible.
‘In the first 20 minutes Ireland dominated us in every facet. It was disappointing. Discipline will probably be mentioned a lot. It really let us down.
‘The review will be honest. It has to be because if you don’t have tough conversations, then you’re just papering over cracks.’
Wales will be without veteran lock Alun Wyn Jones against Scotland due to a head injury
Wales will be without veteran lock Alun Wyn Jones against Scotland after he suffered a head injury. Prop Tomas Francis is also a big doubt with a calf problem.
Gatland said he ‘actually wasn’t that disappointed’ with Wales’ performance and insisted ‘there is a huge amount of upside’ in his team. That upside needs to arrive soon.
Sorting out their discipline is a priority. It was also a problem during their poor autumn campaign last year under Wayne Pivac.
In their last five games, Wales have conceded 60 penalties at an average of 12 per match. Gatland’s side did have their chances and scored through Liam Williams, who was also yellow carded, but their chance conversion rate was poor.
Josh van der Flier’s late try secured a well-deserved bonus-point for Ireland, who now prepare for a mouth-watering clash with France. Saturday’s meeting in Dublin already has the feel of a title decider.
‘We know what an outstanding side France are and the challenges they are going to bring. Getting off to a nice start allows you to focus the mind,’ said Farrell.
France have beaten Ireland in the last three Six Nations and Farrell added: ‘Being ourselves is the main thing, just playing our game. They are just as dangerous on the break, they’ve got a strong set-piece and they’re going to be powerful.’
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