IRELAND HEAD COACH Greg McWilliams said his side have a lot to learn after their heavy Six Nations opener defeat, but that their hosts Wales may just be part of showing the way forward.
Wales are further down the road of professionalism and that showed in how a gulf has opened up between the teams in the last 12 months. McWilliams said his squad would work tirelessly to show an improvement against France next week.
“I thought the first half showed their physicality and ability to control the game,” he said afterwards in an emotional press conference.
“I was proud to make sure it was 5-all in the second half, it was tough to pick the players up at half time, there was a bit of shock as you can imagine.
“Now we just need to learn from it, which is easy to say but when things do not go your way that is a true test of your resilience.
“We have to shake it off, learn and get ready for next week. I did not expect Wales to be that strong, they are very well coached and had lots of big bodies competing well around the contact area.”
“Of course we are disappointed,” McWilliams added. “You feel you have let people down and it is hard. It is tough, the players care, they look at the men’s team and the 20s team, they know what the rugby public is like and they want to do some special things.
“We were on the receiving end of it but they have worked really hard, they put in a good shift and just have to learn and [get] better. We have to show now we are a group of people who can improve and we hope to see that next week.
“We have got to plan and see how we can be more competitive next week and I promise we will be working 24 hours a day to be in a position to be competitive next week.”
There were mixed feelings for the Dubliner and co., as patience was urged going forward.
“You might find it hard to believe that there were things in that game we are really happy with. Unfortunately there were not enough.
“They have 23 of their squad playing in the English Prem in a really competitive league. We have got to be patient, but at the same time there are no excuses.
“There were a lot of people there who give you hope, but at this moment it is just tough to take those losses.”
It was a message of hope backed up by Wales coach Ioan Cunningham, who said, “We have grown as a team over the last 12 months having spent a lot of time together, we are on a professional programme and I think that development has shown.
“Ireland are at the start of that journey. Our challenge is to stay ahead, keep moving, but the last 12 months have been great for us.”
He’s been a huge plus for the Farrell team as he’s just bossed what was starting to become a problem position for Ireland.
Takes care of the basics first, and he’s starting to reveal more to his game now week on week at every level, influencing huge games.
I think the lad has a massive ceiling.
@Patrick Doherty: and a brilliant mix of writing and analysis as always from Murray Kinsella.
I completely agree the way he played last week against Munster was top class. Looked dangerous every time he had the ball in hand. Rock solid under the high ball and looking to attack at every opportunity
Where I have the difficulty with his play is over the five games for Ireland he offered absolutely nothing whatsoever in attack. Even when we were dominant against the English. He looked easy to read with ball in hand.
Before I get lambasted and abused here I believe it must be the different coaching structures between Ireland and Leinster
@Bgkph: he’s 24 and learning every week.
This is the role leinster wanted for carbury so it’s no surprise they are working with Keenan to do the same. Ireland don’t seem to want their 15 to play make so your not going to see this too much for Ireland
@Bgkph: it’s a much much higher level than any PR014 or HC games. It’s what Ronan O Gara keeps saying. Such a chasm between the levels
He’s a good solid player who has already improved hugely since he got his first cap. I’m not sure if he has as much X factor in attack that larmour and stockdale have. The experiment with them at full back failed though and IMO a safe pair of hands which he has , is the most important thing a full back should have…. hopefully the attacking threat can be worked on and will continue to improve…
This guy is a massive credit to the 7s system. He’s so solid, does all the basics so well and rarely makes a mistake. He’s going to get better and better.
He needs to work on his passing and decision making. He is already an improvement on Kearney but like Kearney he takes the ball into contact. Also he needs to fix his man before passing as it cost Lowe a try against France
@Patrick O Connell: the videos show him passing or offloading each time and continuing the movement. Doesn’t really correlate to your point about him going into contact
@Patrick O Connell: every time he takes it into contact he seems to make yards. Fella wriggles out of every tackle