'A lot of credit has to go to England' - Zebo on Ireland defeat

RTÉ Rugby analysts Simon Zebo, Darren Cave and Jamie Heaslip review Ireland 2024 Guinness Six Nations defeat to England at Twickenham.
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[@alanb9443]

I also think a big difference for England was George Martin coming back. He’s severely underrated rn but in a few years everyone’s going to be talking about him as best lock in the world. He is immense. Great work rate and set piece. A real big lump 6’6 125 kg and only 22. Him coming back meant England could push chessum to 6 which rly up the power of the entire pack and put Ireland’s line out under a lot of pressure with 3 6’6 Jumping options in the England back. This forced ireland to moved away from the line out and go for pens.

[@drchrisdavies2941]

Totally agree re George Martin, he made a massive difference against SA in the semi final. He really helps put the team on the front foot and even did so against SA knocking their forwards back he is a massive man at just 22! I also think Ben Earl will be rated as one of the very best Forwards in the World going forward.

[@johnmitchell2269]

When I saw him smashing Argentina forwards in the world cup, I knew this bloke was going to be an asset. Only 22 and he's a monster. No wonder Leicester are so physical with him, Chessum and Dan Cole.

[@twinnett1714]

He's not unrated, not by England anyway, he's only 22, hopefully he'll mature into a world class lock,

[@rogerludwig7619]

Not “underrated” at all. He’s in the team because Borthwick and the team know how good he is.

[@paulhedges4131]

Few years ago he was mentioned as the next Martin Johnson that's how well thought of he is by Leicester

[@Gilescowdemdem]

Was it zebo who said Ireland by 30 and Jaime who reckoned Ireland would only lose with 13 players?

[@lekopta]

Fair play to both for eating their humble-pie with a smile.

[@edwardgubbins6342]

Zebo AND Heaslip both said it!😂

[@geoffnelson6756]

On one hand it's just a bit of banter, I'm OK with that, on the flip side those derogatory comments puts fire in the belly of the opposition. Andy Farrell and the team are so respectful of all teams they play, the pundits should really just tone it down a bit.

[@keego_keego]

That’s what the form guide showed. England haven’t shown signs of that performance . They played out of their skin and fair play to them. But the form guide said Ireland by a big score. Easy to look back with 2020

[@petercoles373]

Two ABSOLUTE ARROGANT 🤡🤡🤡🤡 Get it right up yers!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@thadtuiol1717]

As an England fan, I've been pretty impressed with the Irish reaction of the players and Irish fans to this 'shock' defeat. Most have given credit where it's due and not sought to find excuses. It was really only some sections of the Irish media that were hubristic before the game, and when it comes to trashy gobshite media, we English are world leaders.

[@josephkendle7806]

English fan here. In my experience, the Irish, whether in defeat or victory, are the most gracious fans in the 6 Nations.

[@theofarmmanager267]

Another England fan. I agree with all that you’ve said. I find the approach by many ex player, ex manager pundits extraordinary. If they appear on TV, their views seem quite balanced but why, when in written media, do they resort to writing hypobolic nonsense? Is there a demand upon them to be controversial? Is it controversy leads to readers leads to greater viewers or more papers sold? If you want balanced views, there are few options - O Driscoll, Warbuton, even Johnson. Just never Heaslip or Woodward

[@casperselka671]

Ben Earl for me has been the best player in this championship. Outstanding

[@canadiancontent352]

Probably the form player Tadgh Beirne is still class though

[@rkkeogh988]

Agreed Tadgh Bernie and Menonchello have been unreal aswell

[@Jack-qv5ru]

Earl, Beirne and Monocello in that order. Menoncello has an incredibly high ceiling to reach with regards to potential. He’s frightening

[@purplecrown505]

​@canadiancontent352 Beirne is usually class but he arguably cost ireland the game at the end by ignoring the ref's repeated 'hands away' orders.

[@canadiancontent352]

@@purplecrown505yeah I wondered why he did that but I think maybe it was because it was an advantage already and he was trying to kill the play.

[@markhankin467]

I thought their assessment was balanced and respectful. Fair play to heaslip for laughing at himself.. good luck with winning the 6n

[@AffectionateAstroStation-lx5is]

Heaslip is a Jerk .

[@joeswift5296]

England have won most 6 nations titles, most grand slams, been to 4 World Cup finals and won one. No other home nations teams have even been to a World Cup final and Ireland have never been past the quarterfinals. Never write England off, we will be great again.. enjoy your days in the sun 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

The Irish team, management and fans have never written any team off including England. Yes some of our pundits did get carried away and said some outrageous things but to be fair I’ve read comments on many of these podcasts from English fans writing off the England team themselves.

[@joeswift5296]

Fair comment 👍🏻

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

Thank you, fair play to you. @@joeswift5296

[@johnmitchell2269]

​@@lizzyhanahoe4197Because we are (usually) rubbish 😂

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

Your words, not mine 🤣@@johnmitchell2269

[@tonkerdog1]

As an England fan, Ireland are an awesome world class team from top to bottom. They're looking like England in 1999/2001. A great team that just can't get over that final step. Eventually they got bored of that and worked it out, a world cup followed. Ireland will be very similar i believe, so just bide your time and results will follow.

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

Thank you, just trying to do that 👍

[@2011hwalker]

The issue is that the heart of the Irish team are ageing out-Sexton is gone; OMahony, Furlong and Aki wont be at the next world cup.

[@jonnykk1]

Full respect to Irish fans who have been humble, magnanimous and respectful in defeat (and in victory), and good banter. To Heaslip and others: 😂😂😂 Never write off England like that Matt Dawson took plenty of stick after his pre-2019 WC final article about no SA players making England team. Now time for Heaslip & co to face the memes too 😂

[@honahwikeepa2115]

Never underestimate England at home. They have a formidable record against the AB's and Bokkie. They have a RWC and semi experience.

[@andrewtomlinson18]

At least Jamie could laugh at himself

[@brooklyniron1999]

Hmmm, yes ..right 🙄

[@Trajan2401]

He had no choice he must be used to having egg on his face now 😂

[@quentinquentin6752]

He needs to lose his job. Awful hubristic crap he spouted.

[@MrVenom5150]

yeah well he recently had an online poll asking whether he should start a podcast and 66% said no. It was an IRISH poll...

[@xpat73]

England fan here. Ireland's ball carriers just went missing - Porter, Doris, Furlong etc were anonymous. Ireland are a very good side and look - they only lost by one point.,

[@LeMerch]

Nah, England shut us down. They were better.

[@Trajan2401]

NZ only played with 14 players for most of the final but still only lost by 1

[@quentinquentin6752]

It’s true. The names that should have been fronting up were MIA!! Scotland will be like a wounded animal. We bring the same kind of game that we brought to Twickenham and they will eat our lunch too. Ireland could not only miss the Slam but lose the competition! Drop Murray. He was a disaster when he came on. Messed up a lineout 5m from the English try line. He kicked the ball away when all he needed to do was simple pick and goes. Just awful game management from a side who ought to know better. England were not going to lie down with 80 seconds to go so why give them the ball?? 2 times at least!! Awful. Oh to be a fly on the wall of that debrief.

[@aughalough1]

@@quentinquentin6752, Ireland will be like a wounded bull after losing to England against Scotland next week.

[@Kaiserbill99]

If Ford had not had his boots on the wrong way round, the win would have been comfortable,

[@Kratos-005]

Finally, someone on Irish tv that gives England the credit they deserve….

[@michaelpower4372]

Who? He'll have to be got rid of.

[@privatebaldric8767]

Didn't deserve it until they actually won. Kinda how credit works.

[@2earache]

@@privatebaldric8767But you can say that about any team in any game, notwithstanding the string of ‘ifs, but’s and maybe’s…’!

[@defendermodsandtravels]

Jamie Heaslip was contemptuous of the English team before the game and should be thoroughly ashamed of himself. It's all right to have confidence that your team will win but it isn't OK to sneer at your opponents (Ireland would have to be reduced to 13/14 players for England to have a chance, but ironically it was England who won with 14 players at the end). Pride comes before a fall. I hope he will be more diplomatic and use measured language in future. England are indeed not a great team overnight but compare the two RWC records. One team has been in 4 finals winning once. The other team has never won a game beyond the group stages. There's a message there somewhere. There's no doubt that Ireland have a better record than England in recent years but they shouldn't take anything for granted.

[@stuarthanna-ih9lt]

Agreed but that being said, his opinions never represented the majority of irish supporters.

[@AffectionateAstroStation-lx5is]

No one listens to Heaslip a total clown.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@stuarthanna-ih9lt I hope you're right but I don't have a way of judging that. I admit that most fans I meet in sports bars on match days are a pretty decent bunch and wouldn't be contenptuous of the opposition.

[@charlieleonard7610]

Fair enough man

[@robbopoolman7692]

Blue Monday was the musical accompaniment. Very apt choice ☺️

[@Chief_Brody]

As an England fan, I've been tearing my hair out over the amount of stupid penalties they give away and the handling errors in every game. There was noticeably less of that on Saturday. They kept the Irish forwards from imposing their physicality and I didn't even notice Dan Sheehan and he is a monster of a player. Quick word for Josh van der Flier who had a great game. Fine margins in top class Rugby and Ireland could easily have won but England were the better team. Anyway it's gone now and now all about how both sides play going forward. Will England build on this? Will Ireland find a way to counter teams who play like this against them in the future? We'll see. It was a great game for all Rugby fans.

[@Quilty2]

Well said and congrats. Irish fan here

[@drchrisdavies2941]

George Martin being fit allowed England to play a very powerful tall pack, which were more physical than Ireland. That formed the basis for the exciting new backs to get over the gain line. As Warburton said in the Wales game skill becomes less important if you can't match the opposition physically. That for me was a major factor England were powerful in defence and attack and restricted what Ireland wanted to do However, as others have said, Ireland are still an excellent team, but I'm really pleased England seem to be moving forward positively with a lot of good young players who should still be there for the next W/C.

[@2011hwalker]

Yeah-Martin, Earl, Genge are formidable ball carriers. Furlong and OMahony are what they were 5 years ago.

[@davidduncan6889]

All credit to the Irish pundits, they were pigging out on humble pie, a great game from two good teams!

[@2earache]

I love your terminology of ‘pigging out on humble pie’! Absolute class!

[@nikyt36]

England are class. They have to take criticism when they win and when they loose. I hope they keep improving on this exciting and very entertaining brand of rugby. Total respect to the other squads, as for the critics and many of the fans… jog all the way on to the football matches please 😂

[@chucklombardo8167]

France will hammer ye in Paris next week and Ireland will beat Scotland and be 6 nations champions again that's the reality

[@johnmitchell2269]

One decent performance doesn't make us class fella. When was the last time we won the six nations? 2020? Scotland have beaten us in our last four matches against them. That's miles away from class.

[@nikyt36]

@@chucklombardo8167 doesn’t take any shine off England’s victory over Ireland. Just be happy for them and continue to support your team(s). That’s what I do. I still cheered SA after they knocked us out in the RWC semifinals. The Irish players and coach were full of praise for England in defeat, pity many of their fans seem to be so spiteful.

[@nikyt36]

@@johnmitchell2269 England were class in that match and (read my post) I hope the continue to get better at what they did in this match.

[@michaelpower4372]

​@@nikyt36the fans can see the silly mistakes the team made to give ye lot a lucky one piont win. But the players are not going to admit to making mistakes and will prise any opposition after games. Ireland shouldn't be losing games against such bad opposition.

[@t.bozmkw3562]

You know what's harder than back to back Grandslam? Worldcup Rugby tournaments.

[@neilmontgomery3470]

This loss will do us good. A little bit of humility and reflection can only make us better.

[@TtableWhey]

Why aren't they furious about the last 4 minutes when Ireland decided it would be easier to win the game by giving England the ball than by holding onto the ball ourselves? In fact, 3 times in the last 4 minutes we kicked the ball right into their hands. With 80 seconds remaining, instead of holding onto the ball we decided it was much easier to win the game by giving them one final chance to attack us, knowing all they needed was a drop-goal.

[@theojenner1902]

Do you really think Ireland would have retained possession or not given away a pen for the last 4 mins….?

[@johnmitchell2269]

The lock who came on, Henderson I think, had a bit of a mare.

[@quentinquentin6752]

Our game plan misfired massively and we had no plan b !!!!

[@TtableWhey]

Good god, no. Not even for 30 seconds.Really, though, it should have been well within our capability.It's definitely easier than trying to defend when the other team has the ball.@@theojenner1902

[@michaelpower4372]

The captain what was he at getting sin binned then they get a try.😤

[@michaelhussey440]

There are many examples of dominant teams which are considered a racing certainty for the Slam coming unstuck against a team which plays the best possible game they can on the day. It has happened many times before and will happen many times again. At least it wasnt the last game of the series , that would have stung even more ! I still remember our 1990 England team losing to the Scots !

[@richardmcgoldrick78]

Exactly. Rugby is littered with examples. Ireland did the same to England in 2017 to stop a back to back GS and a most consecutive wins world record.

[@peteryoungpeteryoung965]

As a Welshman I have never been to so happy to see England win against anyone, after the disrespectful remarks some in the Dublin media made about the young Wales team. They forget that Wales have won more 5&6N, more grand slams and reached morecWC semi finals than Ireland have by a long way.

[@Zion66666]

Agreed. The Irish are exceptionally arrogant, even after winning nothing of substance.

[@mattp7828]

England are used to playing a kicking game, with powerful forwards and great set piece with a strong maul. Which works against a rush defence, we almost beat SA with it. However we lacked any ball in hand attacking threat for years and are slowly building that. If we can combine these styles and switch between them if one isn't working we will be hard to beat. I feel Ireland also need to do the same maybe? Good luck next week but I'm sure the championship is yours!

[@robhorneman483]

As A saffa I agree, they were always good but lacked the physical backline hard straight running and finishing skills..now they look unbeatable..on this day they wouldve beaten anyone..

[@johnmitchell2269]

George Furbank has a lot to do with that. Finally an England 15 who can pass, is quick but also keeps on trying to score some damn tries!

[@nuirueu]

Tuck into that humble pie fellas! 😆

[@washerdryer3466]

Rule Britannia!!

[@animalian01]

Yeh, right,how come every pundit had written England off then? Nobody rated their chances at all

[@johnlaw4513]

Because our form in this six nations has not been great!

[@stpejc1977]

Ireland have been playing a tactic for last 11 wins scotland made them work england shut them down making them play a different way found it hard to adapt then ireland changed second half so did england was a very good game both sides played a good game. But honestly the six nations needed this italy result and england result it made for to amazing matches edge of your seat contest that is true rugby at its finest. Im a england supporter and a ex player player of rugby myself and to see games like this brings out the love for the sport.

[@knoll9812]

The bit that impressed me was England in second half. I expected Ireland to slowly take control and draw away. England reacted and stayed in the game.

[@wobblertv8083]

Connor Murray kicking the ball away with four mins left why oh why ! .England at home with some big units playing would have been tough for anybody .Englands handling was a lot better so credit to them .

[@Harr123]

I suppose vs Scotland we'll see what Ireland are made of, remember how the defeat at the Aviva by England in 2019 started the process of Joe Schmidt's team coming apart at the seams having previously been riding on the crest of a wave? Also look at France just now after the loss to the Springboks at the World Cup. It's funny what one loss can do to a team.

[@richardjohnston3359]

Fair play to Jamie como out and talking about the game not like the some of the other Arrogant pundits. Like Matt Williams

[@stephenreeds3632]

You mean the Aussie?

[@Zion66666]

Pratt Williams you mean

[@dulls8475]

@@stephenreeds3632 He is an Irish citizen.

[@MrCravendish]

Ireland would need England to go down to 14 men to have a realistic chance of winning 😉

[@paulcostello1807]

No no food poisoning 😂

[@joshuaturpin]

England did go down to 14 when they got their last 3 points

[@Fwt2023]

Though disappointing for Ireland it’s not a disaster. However they shouldn’t be afraid to make changes with a view to the next World Cup. The first 6N post RWC you typically have teams in rebuild mode (Wales, England…even France this year). Why not take advantage of that a blood some young players next week,especially with the Grand slam gone. Ire has also to be careful to avoid the post 2018 Grand slam slump, following a loss at home to Eng in 2019 they were never the same and had a disappointing 2019 RWC. For England this could be turning point provided they play well against France. I don’t think the result matters as much as the performance, as chance of winning the 6N are quite slim.

[@Hometruths29]

The age profile of this Irish team is not good. Thirteen of the twenty three players on duty at Twickenham are now in their thirties. It is time to start introducing new blood or else the 2027 world cup will go down as another failure.

[@johnbobby1092]

Good luck to Ireland next week as an Englishman ( Yorkshire man) I hope you beat Scotland before we play France for 2 reasons ... 1. you're the best team in the northern hemisphere without a doubt . 2. If you lose we will bottle our building process and lose . 3. We don't deserve neither do the Scots or the French to win this title . Good luck put Fin in his place and it's job done ✅

[@christinaforde4101]

🇮🇪💚.

[@craignewell5728]

As an Englishman I have always loved the Irish attitude in defeat or Victory. Back in the 80's and 90's They were wooden spooners, now they are best in the world. Same wit same graciousness and same honour all the way

[@murrayjohn8608]

Front rows evenly matched, the big surprise was that the back 5 in the English pack were better than Ireland both in starting finish and off the bench. At last looked like an English pack. The truly amazing was that the backs were evenly matched. Kicking game wasn't great and should have learnt not to kick to Furbank in open play earlier. Ach, next year we're going to get pasted in Dublin, this Ireland Team learns quickly, even if the pundits don't and Farrel and Irish fans were a class act after the game.

[@3108dd]

I like that panel, esp both Cave & Zebo. Both are really perceptive and articulate. Some pundits are pretty poor, so always glad to see those two on tv.

[@Ytwhna]

They’re just assuming they’re going to beat Scotland now! Really not doing themselves any favours. It’s just giving opponents motivation.

[@mlguy8376]

(The required as an English man) Before the game Ireland one of the best teams in the World, England were playing with potential but let’s be honest we were not in the same league so whilst a piss take from some Irish pundits I don’t think there were many of us who thought much better - after the game, Ireland are still one of the best teams in the World, and losing to England does not mean anything else (though saffers fans are out ready for Ireland!)

[@mat81427]

Seems odd that no one has mentioned that 2 senior player left the squad the other week and said that England were not spending any time on ATTACKING drill- looks like they have now!! - which makes them pretty frightening!

[@ChrisinHove]

Scotland will have learned from this England win, and be hurting from their loss to Italy. Could be interesting….

[@2earache]

I understand and accept the entire concept of every team - whether club or test - having its respective supporters. Equally, the flip side is when that support turns to distasteful and spiteful bile against the opposing team. I have no time for that whatsoever. What I always look for and await in anticipation, is an all-round great game of rugby. And that was what I witnessed on Saturday afternoon last between Ireland and England. My love and admiration for this terrific game also lies in the overt player camaraderie at the end when one has just overseen an 80-minute event which would in all essence contradict the eventual outcome! Such a feel good factor!

[@green856w]

Had George Ford and Elliot Daly successfully kicked, the margin would have been greater. Ireland got away with a real embarrassment.

[@hc8299]

If Crowley made his kicks Ireland would of won. “If’s” don’t mean anything at the end of the day

[@Bill-bn2ew]

What's going on with these taches? Is that the thing in Ireland at the minute?

[@kevinquinn6103]

England had a great game very impressive. But ireland didn't get out of 3rd gear for most of the game , which could be because of England,but I don't think it was . I think ireland were off.

[@Zion66666]

Show some humility man, have you just not learned from your pundits how arrogance comes back to bite you?

[@Manty111]

"Listen if we'd managed the game differently we would've won". Mr. Cave has refused the humble pie ignored the ford missed kicks and ordered a main of arrogance.

[@rob.1]

Could have, would have, should have.

[@iamfromireland]

He's right though.

[@robhorneman483]

If we had a kicker against Ireland in RWC we shouldve couldve wouldve won . 13- 8 while we were better on the day..and now you say if we managed it better? Haha

[@rickwalker2]

@@iamfromirelandsays every side to ever lose a game. It’s a moot point, like saying “if Ireland had scored more tries they’d have won” but ignores that England made mistakes too, the most tangible being Ford’s off day with the boot- 3 missed kicks that you’d expect any 10 at this level to make. Ireland are a quality team and (as things stand right now) are better than England 9 times out of 10, but they were thoroughly outplayed yesterday in pretty much every facet of the game so let’s be honest, the scoreline flattered them. No doubt England will follow this up with a loss to France this weekend, but my hopes are at least a little higher now than what they were on Saturday morning.

[@Zion66666]

England were better. End of story.

[@dorjem.4166]

As Zebo said, Ireland are humble in defeat, and so is this pundit team - I lost count of how many times they all said credit has to go to England! For people griping about some of the Irish predictions of an Irish walkover, you have to concede that on the evidence of both team’s prior form, that was always a very real possibility. Especially given that England’s blitz defense in the previous matches had been leaky, with dog legs and disconnects opening holes for their opponents to run through and score from. Had the situation been reversed, with England being the no. 1 ranked team worldwide last year, having won the grand slam in 2023 & being on ruthless form so far this 6N, and had Ireland been on such shaky form as 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 have been, we all know that there would have been loads of exuberant English predictions of demolishing Ireland. So calm your coconuts folks! 😂

[@adrianlloyd6403]

It makes for exciting rugby if its 15 v 15 for most of the game, or maybe 14 v 15 for ten minutes or so with sin bins.Rugby players are learning better tackle techniques now and not to be cynical in certain areas.Let's hope this is the norm now as we had three good six nations games this weekend, without red cards ruining any games.I was getting disillusioned watching rugby for the last few years because too many games were being spoilt with red cards for questionable head shots that were unintentional and accidental in some instances.Only my opinion.I think the fans want 15 v 15 games and at the end of the day they're the ones paying for expensive tickets.

[@robroy4663]

Some truth in what they say but they neglected to speak of other major factors, the most obvious being the English desire on Saturday. They won that game despite an atrocities kicking performance from Ford. They attacked much better, ran hard, tackled hard and were dominant throughout. They have players like Earls, Martin, Itoje, Underhill and their new winger. Looking forward to watching Ireland in SA. They need to win the truly big games before they can be considering the best.

[@brianmurray6287]

Rugby 1.0.1 when you are 2 points up with less than 2 minutes to go, don't kick the ball back to a pumped up opposing team.

[@Raptor2607]

Zero put the mockers on us saying we would win by 30 but cant take anything away from England they played great

[@JackN13_]

Irish don't really learn they lose every single important game you can't claim to be one of the best when you can't win decisive games😅😅😅

[@hc8299]

Away series in New Zealand, grand slam last year… but ok

[@pgflyfisher]

Best team in the world can win when it matters most...

[@jesseferguson4269]

England are a great team with a bunch of world class players who have underperformed alot these last two years but when they get it right they can and will beat anyone. They very nearly made a 2nd consecutive RWC final which im sure Ireland would have been happy with if it were them. The expectation on Ireland especially from their own press is in my opinion is unfair and even the greatest sides in history tend to lose games here and there. Andy Farrells attitude and post game comments in irelands last two losses have been class and some of the irish pundits should look to him for a bit of humility.

[@keego_keego]

The big worry is our appeared inability to handle tournament formats in the big games. It was 1 point so not a massive deal But it’s a quarter final……

[@gideonblankenaar7840]

Ireland over the yrs enjoy humble pie.😅

[@theulsterexpat]

I suppose there is the odd time that teams play badly and that is the sole reason for them losing. Most often at the sharp end of international rugby it is the opposing team that put a team under pressure and force mistakes and errors. That is what Eng did to Ireland on Sat and we have to take it on the chin, which we did. Forget all the pundit hype before the game, listen to what Farrell and O'Mahoney said before and after the game

[@user-xj5ks9yj8n]

England's Defence put us under pressure" .. yeah - and you aint see nothin' yet. Ellis Park 6 July...

[@Natedawg38]

I said Ireland by 20. Turns out this did not happen. I do however love a good pundit upset. This is a joke to ever take these predictions seriously. People dont know anything. Trying to predict a scoreline is like trying to predict weather.

[@GoldenbanjoDJ]

It's the 6 nations. No game is a given, and England have a very good (for them) habit of being able to draw better-on-paper teams into underperforming and getting involved into a slog of a game. They did it very well against Ireland last year at Lansdowne. They also did it against SA in the World Cup. It's an absolute credit to them. We can't expect to bully or out muscle any English team, especially not at Twickenham when they have a party to spoil. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater though. Even whilst being forced into an underperformance, we could still have won with 2 minutes to go. It's like the WC game v the All Blacks. IN a position to win it, but made a few decisions that didn't turn out well for us. Good teams can win when they're playing poorly and we were VERY nearly there so no dramas. Can still win the 6N. We need to get better at managing these sorts of tight games and coming out of them on the right side. It's not always going to happen but that's got to be the goal.

[@user-xv2pf7qs5g]

Ben earls is ex special forces

[@tim.jenkins75]

As a neutral..... england always have one big game in every tournament.....Ireland just came up against it.... Ireland are still the more consistent team..... nothing has changed

[@stephenreeds3632]

So that's it for England then? They've had their one good game. Muppet.

[@davidholgate123]

I've been saying for at least 4 or 5 games that England are bringing in some very good young players and that I can see them being very strong in a year or two so I disagree nothing has changed... England could easily be a massive threat if they get it right, the talent is there.

[@Zion66666]

And there, it is, that Irish arrogance shining through.

[@richard_1111]

Zebo is a great pundit.

[@willemsteyn7808]

Irelands run of great form ended in the world cup. They are still a good side but not close to the team they were.

[@plutoniumnitrate1201]

you are very good at luck....

[@joewhelan5018]

It's a sign of the times that England are ecstatic after a one point scrambled victory and should have had a player red carded

[@user-pd1lt2js6l]

Irish fan here ! Before England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 disallowed try ! Genge was whacked in the head in double tackle luckily tmo didn’t go back

[@thecuttingsark5094]

Sour grapes.

[@jontyfrench1637]

I want to see Farrell come back to England and team up with bothwick, oh and the cat man and then see where you are then, smug t wats!

[@aaronreid116]

Makes a change from England being smug twats! We'll take O'Gara, Jones and Prendergast back and see how you fair.. Good luck against France next week!😉

[@soidog659]

Rush defence won the game for England. The hiring of ex Springbok Assistant coach Felix Jones will pay dividends.

[@2011hwalker]

Not really, england got outflanked on one of the Irish tries, Slade couldnt shut his man down and it was all over. The england team won the collisions plain and simple. Earl, Martin, Genge, Feyi Waboso were making meters in contact frequently.

[@hc8299]

Another Irish coach leading the way. You are welcome South Africans and English

[@attackpatterndelta8949]

Ireland will win the Championship, so don't trouble our heads lads. If England can win in Lyons I'll be happy with that.

[@user-nm6li5jc4r]

Maybe all the panel can buy a thesaurus and look up 'credit to'.......?!

[@thehum1000]

Matin johnson lost plenty of matches before winning a world cup, its the norm tbh, no big deal.

[@guyquartermaine2685]

Nice )

[@jamessage1982]

Irelakd didngo 3,6,9 and then 12. They looked rattled at not having the ball. If they find a way to play without the ball for 60% game then the rest of the world has to watch out!

[@thecuttingsark5094]

Arrogant in victory and denialist in defeat. Sums up these pundits. Thankfully the Irish players and fans are made of better stuff.

[@johnnyk6460]

Simon Zebo is an absolute dope. Him and Heaslip are full of sh**e!

[@PPtrainingSamHarvey]

What do this Irish team and the pundits have in common? Quarter final exits

[@patman142]

the 2 of them should have been forced to wear clown outfits

[@MrVenom5150]

Hold your damn tongue next time Zebo. Same for Heaslip et al. Fkn hell. Ireland rugby has become so arrogant. Great job England, and I Hope the Boks ground them a bit in July down in South Africa

[@thinuschinner2584]

You guys think thats difficult.... Try winning a WC... Oh wait , you have

[@bowlingarry]

Porno Zebo cave tache fest😂

[@9Charcot]

Lose the tache Zebo!

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

Why?

[@ryoung484]

Can we please stop having Heaslip on here.

[@leonardpattison2816]

Englands been asleep for ages ,for sure eventually they where gonna wake up.

[@niallmccarthy1219]

Find it very hard to listen to these ghouls after their arrogant BS last week.

[@dunlaoghaire]

Zebo and Heaslip are buffoons. Why can't you get quality commentators on?

[@28copland]

The all blacks lose, safrica lose but they learn from it and fail forward thsts what Ireland need to start doing

[@trimad6128]

Jamie heaslip needs to find a different career

[@jonnykk1]

Maybe he should ask people if we want a podcast?

[@paulcostello1807]

Arry he wears his heart on his sleeve although yes he could zip it at times. He was joking with a few of his comments. There's worse things in life 😅

[@craigvsratedrko]

Irish tears are the best 🤣🤣🤣

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

It’s all because of our beautiful Irish eyes. Thank you.

[@craigvsratedrko]

@lizzyhanahoe4197 just like celtic tears there beautiful but lizzy what happened to you ?

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

Didn’t you watch the match? I’m sure you’ll be able to find it on “catch up”. No, sadly in wasn’t to be, I was very disappointed but have to say we were not the better team on Saturday. If we had won at 22-20, I would have been thinking, “God, that was lucky”. Slainte @@craigvsratedrko

[@charlieleonard7610]

Bit of a shitty thing to say

[@fazertace6837]

Cretins

[@johnmurphy9304]

RTE is embarrassing, the host,the pundits really let themselves down with their embarrassing punditry on the English game. Time to switch off RTE

[@naughtynightlifeasia857]

I think England had three forwards 6ft 6 or taller… hence the trouble for Ireland in the line outs.

[@quentinquentin6752]

Sorry, no. That is true but not good enough. We barely sent up anyone to compete in Englands lineout. If they did it wasn’t more than 50%. As for England they had our number. Big time!! These pundits are a national embarrassment. Period.

[@knoll9812]

​@@quentinquentin6752i don't think the pundits can be blamed as not many people called out in advanced that England would have a fantastic game. Without that England performance Ireland would have had the usual win.

[@feeneypatrick6814]

Yes Ireland beat them selves...yes back down to earth with a bang....England were better in every part of their game..Congrats to them..real fire in the belly rugby... .Its time to give up the hype....Ireland yes control and hold...give up the madness....Play the ball...and not kicking it away .with hope ..learn by your mistakes Fast....

[@isitwasit8756]

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.. arrogance is quite a thing.. nothing motivates a team more than opposition idiots saying they'll beat them no problem

[@LiverPools-ib5fv]

It should of been a much bigger score for England. Ireland played well but got off the hook so many times.

[@hattmancock6396]

I’m getting you didn’t win we lost vibes 😂

[@peadarr]

Well you’d hardly argue Ireland played their best would you? Full respect to the English performance, they deserved the win and played the best game in years, but Ireland were ahead with the ball in hand and less than 2 min in the clock. They should have won it from there even if it would’ve been the better team losing on the day

[@alexhiscock3122]

England aren’t a great team that’s true but great teams win world cups or at least get to semi finals ! Sorry Ireland your a good team but your not great