Wales once again showed “great heart” in Dublin, but the result was all too familiar as Ireland’s green machine marched on towards another Grand Slam.
Head coach Warren Gatland was again encouraged by his young bucks and said the 31-7 scoreline did not reflect Wales’ efforts.
But what did BBC Sport Wales’ pundits make of Wales’ 10th defeat in 11 games?
Overall performance
James Hook
The result probably went as most people expected it to go.
We didn’t have a lot of ball in the first half, possession was down, we made a lot of tackles, I think we actually defended well in that first half.
At 17-7 with 15 minutes to go I think Gatland would have been happy, the game was still in the balance.
We have to take a few more opportunities in the 22, there were opportunities there in that second half which with overlaps we had to take.
Rhys Priestland
It looks a bit messy, a bit disjointed. If you compare the two teams [Wales and Ireland] it’s sort of chalk and cheese.
It was a real lesson for Wales in how perfect shape should be run.
I’m not saying that perfect shape is everything, but the more often you can be in that perfect shape the more chance you’ve got at success.
At the moment, it’s so inconsistent with Wales.
Chris Horsman
I’m not questioning their effort because the effort from this young team has been a standout, but the fact that we’re in a situation now where we’re having to put these young players in all at once.
We’re struggling for a coherent style and strategy of rugby and it’s not on Warren Gatland’s shoulders.
It’s decisions or lack of decisions that haven’t been made years ago that are coming home to roost.
We’re at that point where we need to start being brave, we need to start making decisions.
Standout players
Alex Cuthbert
Aaron Wainwright seems to be the go to man for Wales to get over the gain line, he’s got a serious engine.
I thought Cameron Winnett went really well, he showed some really silky bits of class.
He’s very good in traffic under the high ball which is what you need in that back field in terms of trying to get Wales back on the front foot.
James Hook
Winnett has been excellent, I don’t think he’s played 20 professional games yet. He’s just taken his form from Cardiff onto the international stage.
He’s made the jersey his own.
He’s dealt with everything, he just looks so comfortable on the ball, he’s got so much time.
Probably for me he’s the first name on the team sheet at the moment.
The 10 jersey
Rhys Priestland
I thought the effort [Sam Costelow] put in was huge, he got Wales out of trouble quite a few times. His low tackle, he’s excellent at it.
We didn’t see enough of him with good front-foot ball for him to show what he could do, but the effort he put in in defence was phenomenal.
James Hook
I think the 10 position is up for grabs. You’ve got Callum Sheedy coming back to Cardiff next year, you’ve got Dan Edwards coming through with the Ospreys and Wales under-20s last year, I think he’s played really well.
It’s up to someone to grab it by the scruff of the neck.
Alex Cuthbert
I don’t think we’re blessed with numbers in that position, we had a crack with Ioan Lloyd, he’s gone well in the second half against Scotland.
Sam Costelow, he went to the World Cup, that’s the guy they’re looking maybe to be long-term. We’ve got plenty of other options, but obviously not available to play.
Consistency is going to be key in 10, 12 and 13, with Nick [Tompkins] trying to get George [North] into the game, he’s one of our biggest athletes in the back field.
I think if they can get that continuity a bit more it makes it a lot easier for the Wales forwards to run onto.
Changes for France
James Hook
I think Mason Grady, he’s been playing really well for Cardiff all season and I think he deserves an opportunity.
It would be a shame to see him go through the whole Six Nations without a start. [Rio] Dyer has been playing excellent, his work rate has been brilliant, so give him an opportunity.
Alex Cuthbert
I think we need to get our best athletes on the ball, so maybe Mason Grady.
He needs a run of games, he’s getting five, 10, 15 minutes a game, he’s not really able to make any influence on the game. I want to see him involved off starters.
