Rugby - Argentine coach Hourcade resigns after loss to Wales

SANTA FE, Argentina (Reuters) - Argentine coach Daniel Hourcade has resigned after a second consecutive defeat by Wales left the team with two wins in 17 games.

(Reuters)

"The players aren't responding," Hourcade told reporters after the 30-12 reverse in Santa Fe on Saturday. "The responsibility is mine. The cycle is complete."

Hourcade took over as coach in 2013 and led Argentina to the 2015 World Cup semi-finals.

But the Pumas have struggled since, failing to beat the traditional rugby powers and this month they lost two in a row to the Welsh, handing them their first test series victory in Argentina since 1999.

Argentina play Scotland on Saturday in Resistencia.

(Reporting by Andrew Downie and Ramiro Scandolo, editing by Ed Osmond)