Interim Wales coach Matt Sherratt is looking forward to the challenge of facing England in Cardiff next week despite a record-extending 16th loss in a row for his side in a 35-29 defeat to Scotland on Saturday.
Wales were second best in the first half at Murrayfield as they trailed the Scots 28-8 at the break, but improved after halftime and outscored their hosts 21-7 in the second period in a gutsy display.
But the reality is that they have now become the second Tier-1 nation after Italy to lose 16 games in a row in the professional era, and the victory they so desperately seek continues to elude them.
“We ran into them [Scotland] on a good day,” Sherratt said. “There was no lack of effort. In the contact area they stole some ball from us and their back three had too much of the ball.
“The pleasing thing is that if we had chased the game and went unstructured, we would hurt ourselves. All the [four Wales] tries came from structured play. So, it gives us something to build on.”
Wales also had a try disallowed when fullback Blair Murray illegally hurdled over a tackle in the build-up to Taulupe Faletau crossing to score, but Sherratt believes it was the right call.
“I think it was rightly chalked off. No complaints from me,” he said.
Wales head home to face England next Saturday where they will hope to avoid a second successive whitewash in the Six Nations.
Sherratt believes the showing against Scotland, and the 27-18 home loss to Ireland in their previous fixture, give rise for optimism.
“I can’t wait. It’s not a game to lick your wounds for too long. There’s no greater challenge than England in Cardiff,” he said.
“We’ll have a plan for England, learn and refresh. No point hanging on to the past. It should be a great occasion.”
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Scotland end 9-game losing streak vs. Wales
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