England v Ireland. Twickenham. Sat 9th Mar, 16:45. RTE2

We lost to a better team yesterday, it happens. That's what makes Grand Slams so rare. Years ago, Ireland did it to a great England team in Lansdowne Rd. When you're on the losing side you have to accept it as much as enjoy it when you spoil it for the GS team

We all knew we were lucky to be going in at halftime 4 points up, losing Nash so early in the game and with a 6-2 split on the bench didn't help our cause.

Oddly, Scotland are the only team that can now win the Triple Crown, aside from everything else, they now have something to play for next Saturday. It could make for an entertaining day.

They will beat Scotland and will win the championship. This is a team that holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the 6N, 20 wins from 22, and are almost certainly going to win back to back Grand Slams next week yet are labelled bottlers for losing 1 game...It's obviously disappointing to lose to chance of back to back GS's but this talk of them being bottlers is laughable, basically saying having the best run any country has ever had in 6N history isn't enough.

We aren't average, we're going to win the championship for the 2nd year in a row and are still miles ahead of the field, 1 loss by 1 point doesnt change that. They can get criticism but there's criticism and OTT criticism. It's a bad performance that they need to learn from but this utter guff about being "bottlers" is so out of place its borderline laughable.

The triple crown, the real refuge of a loser. Its like an early version of a participation medal. If you couldn't win the Slam, couldn't win the championship, here's another meaningless trophy you can celebrate just in case.

It's his first time posting on a rugby thread since the RWC, says it all really.

England put pride back in their jersey yesterday, as most of knew they could, they've been poor, well below what they're capable off but yesterday they came out firing and we were below our best.

We probably went back into our shell a bit too, we seem to have conceded more penalties, turnovers, knock ons yesterday than in any other game, some of that was probably due to the pressure England were putting us under but some of it was our own making too.

We didn't lose yesterday because of arrogance, we were beaten by a bigger more physical team putting in their best performance in a long time. Regardless of who they were playing yesterday England played really really well.

This is the type of team we always struggle against. Look at Leinster in the Heineken cup. Really big strong teams cause them huge problems.

I have noticed that success seems to have lessened our passion. England played with real passion yesterday. 100% committed to the win. You knew Murray played right into their hands with that kick. There was an inevitability about it.

strange as how many times have munster put it up the jumper for the last few minutes to see out the win,why they hell would you kick it away,not news that england are handing at the DGs. we didnt deserve it tbh

I don't know if England can back that up but they were very good yesterday. Itoje back to his annoying self and Ben earl was terrific. I can't stand earl with his whooping and shouting etc but he cast that aside yesterday and played great rugby.

Mitchell was motm in my eyes. Pugnacious.

A good kick up the hole. Once again without James Ryan we get bullied by a more physical side. Fair play England.

Not sure about Henshaw but definetly Baird. I'm still a big POM fan but the one area he has an advantage over Baird, the line out, he was anonymous with.

The former is more common to him than the latter unfortunately.

I dont how yesterday proves anything in regards to depth, it must be pretty strong if you can afford to leave Ringrose out of the 23. If you have 2 back subs and then 2 backs get injured then you will struggle replacement wise.

The results have stayed the same it seems.

EDIT - Oh god just realised, another none rugby fan...