Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has admitted he was surprised to see ex-team-mate Justin Tipuric replaced early in the second half against Ireland as he raised the prospect of Warren Gatland making further changes to his side.
Wales were heavily beaten by the world's top-ranked team in the opening match of this year's Six Nations, with the visitors blowing them away in a dominant first half at the Principality Stadium which saw them lead 27-3 at the break.
But while they were let down by a series of basic errors, the hosts were much-improved in the second half, hitting back through Liam Williams, while youngsters Rio Dyer, Joe Hawkins and replacements Rhys Carre and Tommy Reffell all performed well.
And despite the heavy defeat, Warburton insists that Wales will look at the result "glass half full," as he suggested Gatland may look to change his approach ahead of next weekend's clash against Scotland.
Reflecting on Wales' woeful first half, the former skipper, on punditry duties for the BBC said: "It did feel like the match was won in the stadium, it sounds really defeatist but it did feel like that. It really took the energy out of the Principality Stadium which is really important that they did that.
"But I think Wales will look at this glass half full. That second half was 7-0 until Liam Williams had the penalty and some of the young boys off the bench, Carre, Dillon Lewis, Reffell, they came on and they did well.
"So it will be interesting to look at the squad selection next week, whether he's going to put a bit of faith in the youngsters," he added. "I was really surprised to see Tipuric to come off so early, so it will be interesting."
Win a Wales rugby shirt for the Six Nations below. You can also access it here.
However, Martin Johnson was less enthusiastic about Wales' improved second half performance, claiming that Ireland "could hold them at arm's length" throughout the game, with the match won within half an hour.
"Ireland won it in 25 minutes," he said. "By half time the game was over and then it was really about how many points they were going to win by. Wales did some better stuff in the second half but they weren’t going to win it.
"It almost felt like they could hold them at arm's length. If Wales had scored again, maybe Ireland would have just switched the notch up and go again, but it would have been interesting if they had."
READ MORE:
READ NEXT:
The reasons Wales were blown away by Ireland amid errors, indiscipline and frail defence
Wales v Ireland player ratings as key men struggle on Gatland's return
Wales Under-20s score try from the Gods as All Blacks legend blown away
The making of Joe Hawkins and the video that so impressed his team-mates
