The China Mail - Beating Italy is not a 'God-given right', says Wales coach Tandy

The Welsh were huge underdogs but turned in their best performance since Tandy took over last year, never letting the Irish get away from them at Lansdowne Road on Friday.

It was another indication of Wales's improvement, after they came close to beating Scotland a fortnight ago.

Tandy's first Six Nations campaign had started with heavy defeats against both England (48-7) and France (54-12).

The 46-year-old said the performance had been the best by his team, since he officially took over in September, "for different reasons".

"I think going away from home when you think back to England," he said.

"This group, like I say all the time, are unbelievable to work with. They are always learning and growing. There's been a lot of growth as well.

"I know it's tough as everyone wants us to win.

"When you think of the start we had in England and where we've come to this performance tells you so much about the group, the learning and where we want to go to."

However, Wales are still staring at a third successive wooden spoon.

A win in Cardiff over Italy would be a welcome end to their long losing run, but it may not be enough to prevent Wales finishing bottom.

Tandy, though, says two back-to-back good showings does not guarantee they will beat a much-improved Italian side.

"We believe we can win games, but I think it is easy now to go and think just because we've had performances that the win will come," he said.

"We haven't got a God-given right to go and get a win against Italy next Saturday because they've grown. They went through a similar thing to us for a long period of time and it took a while to get there.

"But I do believe the win is around the corner for us. We have to accelerate faster than others because ultimately we are 12th in the world for a reason."

- 'Build a foundation' -

Tandy, prior to taking over the Welsh job, had been Scotland defence coach for six years -- and his expertise in that area appears to be starting to pay dividends.

"There's a lot of things around learning because when we came in in the autumn there were lots of new systems and different language," he said.

"As much as you'll see a lot of toughness in our group, there was a lot of skill around the defence as well."

While Alex Mann earned praise from Tandy for his defensive display against the Irish, preventing a certain try when he intercepted a Jamison Gibson-Park pass, Rhys Carre's try on half-time caught the eye.

The prop not only produced a sidestep worthy of great Welsh backs of the past but found enough power in his legs to run the 30 metres to touch down.

Carre's return to the fold after being cast into the wilderness in 2023 by Warren Gatland has been a positive for the Welsh.

"He's been a massive credit," said Tandy.

"I think all of the plaudits should go to Rhys in and around how he's come back into the environment, how he's been open, the mindset he's brought in and the way he trains."

Carre, Mann and others are beginning to form a unit that Tandy believes can go on to enjoy far better days.

"I know it probably frustrates people when I say it, but I do truly believe that you can't get something unless you build a real foundation," he said.

"I believe we're starting to build a foundation and I know international sport is about winning as well, but we are not a team that cut corners to get to that point yet."

V.Fan--ThChM