Assiratti backs pack to prop up Wales

Assiratti was one of the standout players as Jason Strange’s side slipped to a second defeat, to England, in Tbilisi on Sunday.
 
The Cardiff Blues prop spearheaded a fight-back from 21-3 down, contributing Wales’ first try and part of a scrum that dominated all evening, eventually earning a penalty try.
 
Assiratti was disappointed that again, Wales fell short following their opening defeat to Australia, but he has called on the pack to produce more of the same against Samoa on Thursday (10am BST).
 
He said: “We know they are going to be a big physical pack and in the back-line, it’s going to be a big physical team. We just need to have an edge about us and go again in four days. We need to keep working hard, go again and get the W.
 
“It was a good performance in parts against England, the scrum was outstanding. We had good set-piece dominance so we’re happy as a pack. We have to buy into the process again and do the same against Samoa.”
 
At one point Wales U20 fought back to within a converted try of the auld enemy at 24-17 and they had sustained periods of pressure.
 
The turning point came when possession was given away and England virtually went the length to score a devastating try.
 
Assiratti admits the score-line perhaps flattered England but he was acutely aware that Wales must finish a higher percentage of the chances they create.
 
He added: “The score-line was a little harsh in the end, I thought we had a couple of lovely line-breaks but just didn’t finish the last pass which killed us.
 
“We need to work on our last passes, if we had got that right we would have won against England. Now we have four days to work in training and put that right.”