Wales coach Warren Gatland says he was proud of the second half fightback that saw his team nearly snatch a dramatic victory from Englansd in the RBS Six Nations opener at Twickenham.
“With six minutes to go, I thought we were going to win the match,” he admitted. “We could have easily thrown in the towel and said, ‘This isn’t going to be our day. I am frustrated but proud of the way we came back.”
Gatland could only watch as his side conceded tries either side of half time to trail 20-3, but an inspired second-half showing, with converted tries from Adam Jones and James Hook, meant his team had narrowed the gap to just points.
Alun-Wyn Jones’ sin binning late in the first period meant 14-man Wales defending an English onslaught. And the dam was breached by Man of the Match James Haskell who bundled his way over for thte first of his two scores.
Gatland said: “Just before half-time was incredibly costly for us but when we got quick ball we looked incredibly dangerous. And Gatland explained just how his team clawed their way back into the game, he explained: “The key to the second half is that we got some quality ball and that put us on the front foot,” he said.
“Unfortunately we have thrown an interception and given away another three points late on,” Those late points meant England completed the match with a 30-17 victory.
