Wales boss Warren Gatland was heartened by Saturday's 33-10 RBS 6 Nations victory over Italy in Cardiff but he admitted that the Championship has, overall, been a massive disappointment for his side.
The Welsh went into their clash with the Azzurri still in danger of claiming the wooden spoon but they produced their most consistent display of the year to claim a morale-boosting win which featured two tries from James Hook and one from Shane Williams.
"It was a good performance, very professional. We kept our patience, kept our discipline well and we didn't panic.
"We were pretty tired at half-time, but knew they were in a hell of a lot worse state and were pretty close to cracking.
"It was a lot better and let's not underestimate that when you have two world-class players back it makes a massive difference. When you are missing one or two it does impact on your performance.
"We're very disappointed with the season and we're not hiding behind that. We're frustrated - we let a couple of games slip.
"If we are accurate, keep our discipline and just learn to play with a bit more composure in tight situations we think we are capable of beating any side in the world.
"You live and die by five games in the Six Nations. You can be a hero one Six Nations and for whatever reason the next Six Nations you get the sack. We are pretty aware of it."
Italy coach Nick Mallett, meanwhile, admitted that the game got away from his side in the third quarter, during which Hook struck twice.
"We started well, but in the second period of the first half we didn't have enough ball.
"And, of course, when you get a yellow card (Mauro Bergamasco was sin-binned) against a side that plays wide and has players like Byrne, Williams, Hook and Roberts it's hard to keep them out.
"We've played the whole Six Nations without Sergio Parisse and I have nothing to complain about my team.
"We showed great courage. Our dressing room is like a hospital and I'm glad this was our last game because I'm not sure we can play another."