Dan Biggar pinpointed a lack of physicality as the biggest issue for Wales in their 29-7 defeat to Ireland on the opening day of the Guinness Six Nations.
The 2021 champions never really got going at the Aviva Stadium, conceding four tries and trailing 29-0 before a late Taine Basham score.
And Biggar, taking over the captaincy in the absence of Alun Wyn Jones, admitted that his team had not quite got things right on a tough afternoon in Dublin.
He said: “We didn’t get much right, credit to Ireland, they played really well and played the conditions well. They strangled us, physically dominated us and were good value for their win. It will be tough watching back on Monday because the big thing we focused on all week was physicality and matching that from Ireland and we didn’t quite get it right if we’re honest. Ireland dominated that area and it became too difficult for us to get onto the front foot.
“Obviously it’s an issue (being without a lot of experience) but the physicality was what we were missing today. Discipline and physicality, between those two things, even with experienced players sometimes we’ve come here and been on the back foot. Overall a pretty disappointing afternoon.”
After a difficult first outing, Wales will now return to Cardiff to host Scotland in Round 2, looking to make amends for a slow start.
And Biggar is hopeful that home advantage will help the team get back on track.
He added: “We know we haven’t got long to get it right ahead of a massive game next week in Cardiff. If we’ve got any aspirations of keeping hold of this trophy, then it’s a must-win next week.
“Home advantage is key and it was a big advantage for Ireland today. We’re hoping we can use that next week and put in a better show. We’ll have some honest feedback and honest reviews in the week. We need to find a bit more of an edge to us, we didn’t have that today and we need to look at why.”
