Ireland Fall To Fourth After England Defeat

England 33 Ireland 10

By Dermot Kavanagh

Following their heavy defeat to Twickenham on Saturday Ireland have now registered their worst championship campaign since 1999. Irelands defeat has now seen them plummet to 8th in the World rankings, their lowest position since the ranking were established in 2001.

Ireland began the game in a very expansive mood and by the 7th minute had built up a lead of 10 points to nil. However almost immediately Ireland then reverted to the staid unadventurous style of play that apart from the second half in the French game, has marked their performances during the last 12 months. It seems that the World Cup performances that brought Ireland such ridicule was not a "blip" as some IRFU officials have suggested. This Irish team clearly needs new blood both on the management side and within the squad if former glories are to be repeated.

As soon as England became familiar with Irelands style the game was as good as over. England threatened to run riot at stages while Ireland never looked like increasing their tally.

England scored trys in the 19th, 27th and 60th minute as the scoreboard began to reflect their superiority on the field. Irelands game totally disintegrated and with a little more composure England could easily have put 50 points or more on the scoreboard.

With a summer tour in New Zealand and Australia to come it is difficult to see how Ireland can achieve anything more than respectable defeats. Anything more than that at the moment is unimaginable.