Harris encouraged by Welsh performance

Wales coach Iestyn Harris believes his side will have gained confidence for their European Cup campaign from their 48-12 defeat by England.

The Welsh showed significant improvement having lost 74-0 in last year’s encounter with England.

Wales open play Serbia in their opening European Cup fixture on Sunday in Smederevo followed a week later by a game against Ireland at Ponypridd.

“I am really encouraged by it,” said Harris of the England game, his first as Wales coach.

“We got a little bit tired towards the end, but I thought they went really well for a young group of players.

“When we got together on Monday they didn’t have a lot of belief, but we gave them a game plan to enable them to have a real dip at England, and I thought the players really stood up tall.

“We gave England a challenge, and I’m sure we have learned more from tonight than when we played them 12 months ago.”