Nick Tompkins says Wales need consistency and can’t ‘just be a flash in the pan’

Nick Tompkins accepts that Wales need to be “consistently relentless” as they move towards the final phase of this season’s Guinness Six Nations.

Wales’ hopes of a successful title defence were effectively ended by a 23-19 defeat against England at Twickenham.

They now have to lift themselves for an appointment with unbeaten leaders France in Cardiff, with Les Bleus moving ominously towards their target of a first Grand Slam since 2010.

It is a tall order for Tompkins and company, although recent Six Nations history favours Wales in the fixture, having beaten France four times from the last five meetings on home soil.

Wales outscored England 3-1 on tries, with centre Tompkins, wing Josh Adams and scrum-half Kieran Hardy all claiming second-half touchdowns, but poor discipline proved their undoing as Marcus Smith kicked six penalties.

England led 17-0 before Wales began to make an impact on the contest, with their second 40-minute performance proving in stark contrast to that of the first half.

“Our discipline can’t let us down like that,” Tompkins said.

“Against any good side, they are going to put points on you, and that’s the way international rugby is. Everyone knows it.

“We need to be more consistent. It can’t just be a 10-minute spell, you can’t just be a flash in the pan, you need to be consistently relentless on teams.

“Whatever that is – looking after the ball, decision-making, work-rate – I think we have those, but we need to be relentless with it, I think.

“I can’t say I am not disappointed, frustrated or feeling hurt because I truly thought we were going to come back at the end.

We need to be more consistent. It can't just be a 10-minute spell, you can't just be a flash in the pan, you need to be consistently