A much improved display, and a phenomenal test match.

But ultimately, one that ended in both frustration and disappointment for Welsh fans on Saturday, as the home side went down 21-16 to England in a titanic battle at the Principality Stadium.

And in his latest RBS 6 Nations review with Telegraph Sport, legendary Welsh winger Shane Williams said the outcome didn’t reflect the effort that Rob Howley’s side put in.

“I think it was our best performance over the last two years,” said the 39-year-old.

“We were defensively superb and dominated England in the tackle area. But we also played some rugby as well – we got people like Liam Williams involved and looked dangerous.”

But like so many of his fellow countrymen, Williams says he left the Principality Stadium frustrated by Wales’ failure to close the game out.

“The last ten minutes lost us the game,” he said.

“It’s happened too many times to us now and it has to be a concern. In international rugby you are going to get tight games and the last third of the match is now so important in terms of what replacements you make and the way you play.

“The top sides know how to close out tight games. It’s a problem for us and it shouldn’t be because we have enough experience there.

“A significant moment was when we had a lineout in an attacking position late on. We messed up the throw and I think it came off someone’s head and we lost the ball. You don’t see that from the likes of New Zealand, Australia or England.”

But Williams did also reserve praise for the way England grabbed a 16th successive test match win.

“We were under pressure and the game had been played at such tempo, and with so much speed and aggression, and that there was bound to be tired bodies out there.

“Good teams continue to do the simple things well under pressure and England took the chance when it came their way.”

One of the major talking points to emerge from Saturday was Howley’s decision to replace the outstanding Ross Moriarty for Taulupe Faletau at No 8, as early as the 52nd minute.

It was a call that Williams deemed totally unnecessary.

“It was a clearly a pre-mediated tactic and it happens way too often in rugby now.

“I’m told that the GPS system the Welsh coaches were using indicated Moriarty wasn’t covering as much ground as the first half – but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t playing well.

“In fact he seemed to be getting stronger as the game wore on and was lifting the players and crowd around him. He’s a fit lad and was enjoying the physicality.

“England obviously have used their replacements very well in the last two weeks and late changes are a big part of their tactics. But we just made one for the sake of it.

“There is so much science in the game now I understand that. But in this case, science got in the way of common sense.”

And furthermore, Williams feels the youngster has given Howley a real selection dilemma ahead of the Scotland game at Murrayfield on Saturday, February 24th.

“It was Moriarty’s best game in a Welsh shirt,” he said.

“He proved a point in a big way and I think he has to be rewarded with another start. It’s hard when you have someone like Faletau chomping at the bit and the coaching staff now have a big decision.”

Moving away from the Principality Stadium clash, Williams said he was impressed with the way Ireland blew Italy away 63-10 in Rome on the first Six Nations game of the weekend on Saturday.

“Ireland were caught cold in Scotland but reversed that against Italy.

“They started quickly and Italy couldn’t cope.

“Some of the tries scored were too easy for international rugby, and the Italians imploded second half when their defence was woeful.

“But Ireland have the ability to finish sides off and it was a great performance by them. Their back row was superb – Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien had their best games for some time and CJ Stander was incredible, not just because of the try hat trick but his work rate and engine.”

However, it is Scotland who Wales will now be focussed on, after Vern Cotter’s side narrowly missed out on a second straight win with a 22-16 loss in Paris against France on Sunday.

“It was a dogged display from Scotland but they just couldn’t get hold of the ball after taking the lead again second half.

“France really ground them down with their strong runners. They starved the Scottish backs of the ball in the final quarter and managed the game well.

“It was a game Scotland could have won but I think France boxed clever late on and just about deserved it.”

However, the Scottish display is one that Williams readily admits has left him “worried” as they look to end a run of nine straight Championship defeats against the Welsh a week on Saturday.

“Scotland will take a lot of positives from the first two weeks. They are far more organised under Cotter and (Gregor) Townsend and are getting clean ball going forward.

“But I think if Wales defend like they did against England with the same level of physicality then they will cause any side in the world problems. If it becomes an arm wrestle up front then I’d back us to win.”

Regardless, the result will prove a crucial one, with the loser effectively ending their Championship hopes.

“The tournament is still wide open and there is a lot to look forward to.

“It’s going to be a cracking match at Murrayfield and I’m looking forward to it.”

  • On April 1, the inaugural Tour De Shane will take place in Pembrokeshire - a cycling event to raise funds for the The Velindre Cancer Centre. For more information, or how to enter eith the 50 or 70 mile routes on offer, visit www.man-upuk.com/tour-de-shane.