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Rhys Webb backs 'hurt' Wales to finish strongly in Six Nations

Rhys Webb of Wales reacts after his try is disallowed by the video referee against Scotland
Image: Rhys Webb of Wales reacts after his try is disallowed by the video referee against Scotland

Rhys Webb has backed Wales to deliver a strong Six Nations finish this season - despite suffering successive championship defeats for the first time since 2010.

Scotland's 29-13 victory over Wales at Murrayfield on Saturday followed a home loss to Six Nations favourites England two weeks ago.

Life is not about to get any easier, with Ireland arriving in Cardiff on March 10, followed by a Paris appointment with France eight days later.

When Wales last experienced back-to-back Six Nations reversals seven years ago, France and Ireland were their conquerors.

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"It's going to be tough, the first couple of days," Wales scrum-half Webb said. "We will look back on this game, be harsh on ourselves, look at the areas we need to improve.

"The main thing is playing for the full 80 minutes. Against England, we played for 65 minutes, against Scotland we felt we just played for 40 minutes.

"We had our chances in the second half, but didn't capitalise on them. It was a very disappointing day in the office.

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"It's a week off now, so time to look back over this game and get ourselves back up.

"It is going to be hurting, the first couple of days next week, and then we will look forward to Ireland."

Results apart, Wales will also be gravely concerned that in the second half of their last two games, they have scored a combined total of just three points.

Tim Visser beats Leigh Halfpenny to score Scotland's second try
Image: Tim Visser beats Leigh Halfpenny to score Scotland's second try

Scotland, without a win against Wales since 2007, were sparked into life by wing Tommy Seymour's 44th-minute try, gaining momentum they never lost as Wales' 13-9 interval advantage was emphatically erased.

"We know as a team that international rugby is about playing for the full 80 minutes," Webb added. "We talked about coming out strong in the second half, but discipline cost us and basic, sloppy errors slipped into our game.

"They were two sloppy tries (Tim Visser also touched down) to concede from our point of view, tries which we should never have conceded.

"They built from that and gained momentum, and to be fair to Finn Russell, he kicked his points and kept the scoreboard ticking over.

"We are in this together - we win together, we lose together - and we will pick ourselves up and be harsh on ourselves. We have got two games left, and I am sure we will finish strong."

While Wales now look to salvage pride, Scotland will be on a Triple Crown quest at Twickenham in a fortnight's time when they face England.

"Scotland have come on leaps and bounds," Webb said. "They have got some dangerous players in their back-three, and they are a tough team to play against.

"Scotland have beaten Ireland and us, and they are on for the Triple Crown. It would be good for Scotland to go on and win that."

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