WALES captain Alun Wyn Jones said the decision to go for a scrum instead of three points during the first half of his country’s heart-breaking 21-16 defeat to England was a “feel thing”.

The hosts, trailing 8-6, were awarded a 28th-minute penalty when England were caught offside just metres from their own try line.

But Jones declined the easy shot at goal and prop Rob Evans was penalised by French referee Jerome Garces after taking down the resulting scrum.

“We had one scrum in the 22 where we had a good outcome considering it was the first scrum in the game," said Jones, who in all snubbed two attempts at the uprights in the opening period.

“I asked the front row whether they wanted to go again. Yes, they did, obviously it turned. But, in hindsight, we had a scrum on the other side that got us a try.

“That was pretty much it, really. It was a feel thing. If it's wrong, it's on me, and I am comfortable with taking that responsibility.”

Wales did lead 13-8 at the interval and 16-11 with nine minutes of the Principality Stadium clash to go, yet England left Cardiff celebrating a 16th successive Test victory.

Wing Elliot Daly’s late try preserved the visitors’ hopes of landing back-to-back RBS 6 Nations Grand Slams, although the winning score emanated from a loose kick by the home side.

Taking the ball behind his own line, centre Jonathan Davies missed touch, England countered and Daly breezed past Alex Cuthbert to dot down in the corner.

Giving his take on it, Jones was careful not to single out any of his teammates for blame.

He added: “I am very cautious in what I say because we win as a team, we lose as a team.

“There were errors, there were penalties. If you kick loosely, you have got to open out, but we didn't open out.

“If you go back a few years, earning the right to go wide was the buzz phrase, now everyone is talking about edges, and they had that when we didn’t open out (in the kick-chase). It's a pretty basic thing.”

He continued: “I said in the week about physicality, momentum and being able to be clinical.

“We matched them with physicality, but ultimately we feel that we hurt ourselves in those last few minutes.

“Improvement for everyone is pretty limitless. We improved from the Italy game, and we will continue to work to do that again.

“I make no bones in saying it, we win as a team and we lose as a team, and we will improve as a team as well.”