FLANKER Justin Tipuric is confident that Wales will find the right balance between attacking intent and pragmatism to get back to being Six Nations title contenders.

The champions' defence of their crown has been one to forget with losses to Ireland, France and England after an opening weekend hammering of hapless Italy.

Rather than battling for silverware on Saturday, Wales will be in the rare position of trying to avoid finishing fifth when they entertain Scotland.

A meeting with Gregor Townsend's side won't be as brutal as last weekend's trip to Twickenham but new boss Wayne Pivac wants to see a better blend to his team's style at Principality Stadium.

The New Zealander made no secret of his desire for a more enterprising approach after replacing compatriot Warren Gatland but said after the 33-30 loss to England that they need learn about playing at the right place at the right time.

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"Just after half-time we played too much and allowed them back into the game," said flanker Tipuric, whose stunning try in the 41st minute mate it 20-16. "It's those 1 per centers and easy fixes.

"We probably played a bit too much then and that was one of those things where we could have put the pressure on them straight away.

"Rugby is a heads-up game. You need to know when to play and when to put the ball down there (in the opposition's half)."

After the success of the Gatland years – which had their fair share of disappointments in Dublin and London – the pressure is starting to build on new boss Pivac.

Tipuric is urging patience and believes that Wales, who have a daunting summer tour to New Zealand, are on the right track to be back in the mix for the title in 2021.

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"The last thing we got to do now is start panicking and pointing the finger," he said. "Obviously internationals are pressure games but like I said they are easy fixes and at the end of the day we are on the field and we are the ones who can put it in the right.

"The biggest thing is we want to finish the campaign on a high and whoever steps up for the summer tour has a bit of momentum going into it.

"We want to finish the Six Nations on a high, have a good performance and get a result."

Wales have a number of bumps and bruises to monitor ahead of the finale but will be forced into a change in the second row.

"Jake Ball has injured an AC joint. That looks like it will require surgery and will be about a 12-weeker," said Pivac.

"There are a few boys knocked up. I think Leigh (Halfpenny) did very well to come out for the second-half. He's got a massive gash on his knee, which has been stitched up."

Dragons tighthead Leon Brown came on in the second half after Dillon Lewis suffered an ankle injury.

The sub battled on after suffering a huge blow to his shoulder in the build-up to Manu Tuilagi's clinching try but carried on.

"We've got some young props that we are putting a lot of faith in," said Pivac. "Leon coming on today had to dig deep and I thought that he did really, really well.

"I think that both those guys have got big futures in the game and we are going to keep working hard on the scrum and making sure that we are improving."