Warren Gatland admits a lack of accuracy proved to be Wales’ undoing after they went down 21-16 to England in Cardiff.
Gatland, who coached the British & Irish Lions to a series victory in Australia in 2013, saw his troops race into a 10-0 lead in the opening stages at the Millennium Stadium.
But three George Ford penalties and tries from Bath duo Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph eventually proved to be too much for Wales.
And the New Zealander, whose starting XV featured 11 players from that 2013 Lions tour, refused to make excuses for his side’s defeat.
"At this level you have to make sure you are accurate," said Gatland. "Unfortunately, we weren't as accurate as we should have been.
"We are disappointed, but I can't see where you would argue that England were massively depleted.
"They have strength in depth, and the players who came in did a fantastic job.
"I don't look at it as, 'are we concerned about England missing so many players?' It is top-level Test match rugby.
"Sometimes you play with strength in depth, sometimes you don't.
"We started poorly at the start of the second half. We put in a loose kick and England kept the ball for four minutes and ended up scoring.”
