Rowland Phillips was disappointed and frustrated that London Welsh were unable to get their first win of the season, against Lyon, and admitted the fightback had been “too little, too late”, writes SIMON WILLIAMS.

The defence coach rued three errors that allowed Lyon to score their tries, but believes the response that saw the Exiles comeback from 17-0 to 17-12 will give the side belief going forward.

Phillips said: “Confidence is such an important area of the game and obviously, as results would suggest, we are a team low in confidence.

“But I am sure that if there are any positives to come out of that performance, it is the fact that we can play and create opportunities.”

Although both sides went into the game knowing that they could not qualify, Phillips denied his side lacked intensity.

“I wouldn’t say it was a dead rubber because we know we needed a win and a performance – in that order,” he said.

“We built a performance, probably too little too late, but the disappointment is the fact that we didn’t get the win.

“We felt going into the game we could win it and we needed to win it. It really is what could have been.”

Phillips praised Eddie Aholelei, who, in an unusual piece of skill for a prop, passed the ball between his legs to set up Welsh’s first try.

Phillips said: “We know what Eddie can offer and, to be fair the last two games, he has put in two solid performances, highlighted perhaps by the moment of the match by a prop forward, to put it through his legs.

“Sometimes those unusual but effective moments can be the difference.”