Rob Howley’s side led the Red Rose 16-14 going into the final quarter at Principality Stadium, but what would have been a deserved win was snatched from their grasp after Elliot Daly went over in the corner for Eddie Jones’ men.
As Wales reconvened at their Vale of Hotel training base on Tuesday, the squad were still wearing the scars of battle. But with a trip to Murrayfield already focusing the minds, Howley’s men are looking to the future, not the past.
“It was a humongous Test match. To be winning for long periods of the second half and to lose it was devastating and hard to take,” said skills coach Neil Jenkins, reflecting on the loss to England.
“The boys put in an incredible shift. Did we do enough to win? I’m biased, I’m Welsh and I thought so. But England are a fantastic side at this moment in time and showed why they have now won 16 on the bounce. They kept coming and took their opportunities at the end.
“It’s hard losing a Test match of that magnitude and picking yourself up afterwards, but we have to and get back on the horse and go again. It’s another big Test match a week on Saturday.”
Wales produced a number of standout performances against England, with Dan Biggar and Ross Moriarty among those to leave everything out on the field.
Jenkins confirmed Wales will make a gradual return to training this week, but there are no fresh injury concerns from their second championship game.
The legendary former fly-half added: “England are the second-best side in the world, rightly so, and have got a lot of strength in depth. But we should have won. We were in position to win, but it’s just disappointing we didn’t close it out.”
Scotland are next up for Wales. After downing Ireland in the first game of the tournament, Vern Cotter’s men were edged out by France in Paris.
With a new-found threat behind the Scottish scrum, Jenkins is expecting a tough challenge in Edinburgh.
“Scotland are going very well. They are a tough side and had a fantastic win against Ireland,” he said.
“We all know how good Ireland are, as they showed in the autumn by beating the All Blacks in Chicago and running them close at home.
“So Scotland winning against them at Murrayfield was outstanding and they pushed France very close on Sunday. France had pushed England very close and are a big and physical side.
“Scotland have certainly improved no end under Vern Cotter over the last few years but I’d like to think we are going to be ready for them.
“Being at home, they will fancy their chances against us. But if we can play like we did last Saturday and see the game out for the full 80 minutes, I’d like to think we will take some beating.”
