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.<\/span><\/p>\n Head coach Warren Gatland was again encouraged by his young bucks and said the 31-7 scoreline did not reflect Wales’ efforts. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n But what did BBC Sport Wales’ pundits make of Wales’ 10th defeat in 11 games?<\/span><\/p>\n James Hook<\/strong><\/p>\n The result probably went as most people expected it to go.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n At 17-7 with 15 minutes to go I think Gatland would have been happy, the game was still in the balance.<\/span><\/p>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n Rhys Priestland<\/strong><\/p>\n It looks a bit messy, a bit disjointed. If you compare the two teams [Wales and Ireland] it’s sort of chalk and cheese.<\/span><\/p>\n It was a real lesson for Wales in how perfect shape should be run.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n At the moment, it’s so inconsistent with Wales. <\/span><\/p>\n Chris Horsman<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n We’re struggling for a coherent style and strategy of rugby and it’s not on Warren Gatland’s shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s decisions or lack of decisions that haven’t been made years ago that are coming home to roost. <\/span><\/p>\n We’re at that point where we need to start being brave, we need to start making decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n Alex Cuthbert<\/strong><\/p>\n Aaron Wainwright seems to be the go to man for Wales to get over the gain line, he’s got a serious engine. <\/span><\/p>\n I thought Cameron Winnett went really well, he showed some really silky bits of class. <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n James Hook<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n He’s made the jersey his own. <\/span><\/p>\n He’s dealt with everything, he just looks so comfortable on the ball, he’s got so much time.<\/span><\/p>\n Probably for me he’s the first name on the team sheet at the moment. <\/span><\/p>\n Rhys Priestland<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n James Hook<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s up to someone to grab it by the scruff of the neck.<\/span><\/p>\n Alex Cuthbert<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n I think if they can get that continuity a bit more it makes it a lot easier for the Wales forwards to run onto. <\/span><\/p>\n James Hook<\/strong><\/p>\n I think Mason Grady, he’s been playing really well for Cardiff all season and I think he deserves an opportunity. <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Alex Cuthbert<\/strong><\/p>\n I think we need to get our best athletes on the ball, so maybe Mason Grady. <\/span><\/p>\nOverall performance<\/h3>\n
![\"Cameron](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/15601\/production\/_132735578_cdf_240224_cf_ireland_v_wales_101.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Standout players<\/h3>\n
The 10 jersey<\/h3>\n
![\"Mason](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/BA25\/production\/_132735674_cdf_100224_cf_england_v_wales_114.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Changes for France<\/h3>\n