TIP URGES CALM AS DRAGONS ARE GROUNDED AGAIN

JUSTIN TIPURIC wants calm as Wales contemplate their worst Six Nations run for 13 years.

A third straight defeat has left the defending champions theoretically in danger of the wooden spoon.

While such an eventuality remains highly unlikely given Italy’s presence in the equation, Wayne Pivac’s first campaign in charge has been a chastening one.

“The last thing we have got to do now is start panicking and pointing the finger,” said Tipuric.

“Internationals are pressure games, but there are easy fixes and at the end of the day we are on the field and we are the ones who can put it right.

“We are not far away, we just need to be a bit more clinical. It was frustrating that we gave ourselves so much to do.”

Wales’ broken-field ball-playing talent was there for all to see when they finally escaped England’s stranglehold late on, with Tipuric crossing for his second try and

Dan Biggar also touching down. But a losing bonus point was all Wales could muster as England’s more formulaic approach prevailed.

“They are a powerful big team,” added Tipuric.

“They played to their strengths. They have got a game plan and they stick to it.

“It was not so much about the fancy rugby, but they grind teams down and batter you.”

Wales head to the Principality Stadium on Saturday to face Scotland in their final game without Jake Ball who has undergone surgery on the shoulder he damaged at Twickenham and will be sidelined for 12 weeks.

Prop Dillon Lewis is also a doubt for the Dragons with an ankle injury.

“Playing at home, we would like to finish the campaign on a good note with a positive display,” said coach Pivac.

Wales v Scotland Italy v England postponed; France v Ireland (8pm)