RUGBY UNION: Jones rues scoreline (From Witney Gazette)

RUGBY UNION: Jones rues scoreline

10:00am Monday 28th January 2013 in Rugby

Head coach Lyn Jones was left disappointed by the final scoreline as the Exiles went down 23-6 to Harlequins on Saturday.

Defeat condemned Welsh to a third LV= Cup loss, as well as to a third defeat at the hands of the English champions this season.

“We are disappointed with the scoreline – it was quite a competitive match. Some of our execution of skill levels wasn’t what we’d hoped for,” said Jones.

“We knew we had to be physical with them and we tried to stop them at the gain line.

“They’re a highly-skilled side, they’re well coached and well drilled, and a lot of their players have a very accurate game which makes life difficult.”

Jones had made nine changes to the Welsh starting XV from the one which had faced Stade Francais the previous week in the Amlin Challenge Cup, as the Exiles build towards their trip to Welford Road on February 9.

“When we got promoted last season we entered four competitions, but obviously only one was of importance to us,” said Jones.

“The Amlin Challenge Cup and the LV= Cup are excellent competitions and I’d like to think that in a year or two we’d be a little bit more competitive and try to win them.

“This last four weeks has given us rest, an opportunity to see players play and an opportunity for a lot of boys to get match fit again ready for Leicester.”

Saturday’s defeat was Welsh’s third at the Stoop this season (including the sides’ Aviva A League meeting) and extended Quins’ unbeaten run to nine matches, but it was also significant for Welsh fly half Gordon Ross, who was making his 100th appearance for the club.

“Anybody who can put together 100 appearances for a club in the contemporary game proves his worth,” added Jones.

“I’m delighted; it’s a milestone he’s very proud of.

“But it’s not just the figure; it’s the way he behaves and the way he holds himself as a model professional.”