Wales reveal Six Nations frustrations

Jonathan Thomas admits Wales have endured an "incredibly frustrating" RBS 6 Nations campaign ahead of Saturday's salvage mission against Ireland in Dublin.

If Wales wreck Irish Triple Crown ambitions at Croke Park they will have a fighting chance of finishing second in this season's tournament, but if they lose to the reigning Six Nations champions, Wales will find themselves in the wooden spoon mix next weekend when annual strugglers Italy visit Cardiff.

"It has been incredibly frustrating because we could have won the first three games." said Ospreys flanker Thomas, who wins his 54th cap. "We know we can turn it on and play good rugby against any side in the world. If we play a bit smarter, we will be in charge of our own destiny.

"International rugby is about winning, we know we are under-achieving. We are better than the table shows, and we should have beaten France and England.

"It is up to us to sort it out. It is easier to take when you lose to a side that is better than you."

After trailing England 20-3 and title favourites France 20-0, Wales threatened spectacular fightbacks in both Tests before ultimately falling short, although they did stage a blockbusting late show to beat Scotland.

Thomas added: "We are not far away from being a top team.

"France had a great defensive record and they are an incredibly physical side who smashed Ireland at home, but we ran them ragged in the second-half and they were physically gone.

"To do that to a side of their renown says something. We can take a lot from that, and it was the same with Scotland.

"A lot has been made about how we start games, but the important thing for us is that we are not far away. To see what we are doing to sides shows we are going in the right direction. We need to concentrate more at the start and not give ourselves such a mountain to climb."

Date published : 11 Mar 201015:39:26

Add your comment * required information

*

*
This will be kept private & will not be displayed alongside your comment.

*
eg. London, UK

*

Please tick to confirm that you have read rugby.co.uk terms & conditions.

advertisment

skip to content