LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO has picked himself up and targeted an England fightback after their Grand Slam hopes were dealt a stunning knockout blow by Ireland.
England, for the first time since 1999, trooped away from Twickenham as Test match losers.
They could have no complaints as Ireland gleefully tore up the RBS 6 Nations script that had plotted a Grand Slam showdown between England and France in Paris on March 27.
The world champions were second-best in almost every area, but significantly at line-outs, where they lost 11 on their own throw and were treated to a commanding performance by arguably the world's best jumper, Munster's Paul O'Connell.
England also missed nine tackles and made 25 errors in the game and captain Dallaglio emphasised their mood as Ireland went on their way towards a possible first triple crown since 1985.
"In games at this level, if you don't win the ball, you can't play or put the opposition under any pressure. I am afraid that at lineout time, we were undone," he said.
"Any ball that we did win was very scrappy, and we weren't able to get our patterns of play going. Credit to Ireland, they clearly targeted the line-out as an area to disrupt us, and it proved to be hugely successful.
"Our error-count was very high. There were lots of knock-ons and mistakes, but you can analyse a game all you like - if you don't win the ball, you can't win.
"There were lots and lots of individual mistakes. You can perhaps afford one or two at this level, but if you have one or two each and you add them together, then ultimately, you are going to make life very difficult."
Ireland cranked up the forward pressure through O'Connell, livewire hooker Shane Byrne and flanker Simon Easterby, while centres Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy were an attacking menace throughout.
In contrast, England misfired terribly. Full-back Iain Balshaw and hooker Steve Thompson had especially poor games, with prop Trevor Woodman not far behind. As ever though, collective, rather than individual, responsibility will be taken.
"We've had some great days in the last two years. We have been to changing rooms all over the world, and at the end of the game we've had a smile on our face because we played well, got results and won matches," added Dallaglio.
"This is a different experience for the squad and management. We hadn't lost for a long time, but you have to accept that.
"Everyone is prepared to accept all the adulation and praise when you win, and similarly, when you have a bad day, you have got to be prepared to accept the criticism, but ultimately stay together and make sure we bounce back.
"It is a real test now. It is a chance for us to take a look at ourselves and come back.
"Knowing how determined and how motivated everyone is within the England set-up, from coaches through to players, I would expect the appropriate reaction. We've got to look at our next game against Wales, and for us, the target is to get things back on track."
Matt Dawson's try and a conversion and two penalties from Paul Grayson were the only England crumbs for a capacity crowd.
Ireland, 12-10 ahead at half-time courtesy of four Ronan O'Gara penalties, clinched an outstanding win through full-back Girvan Dempsey's 52nd-minute try.
Although Grayson reduced the arrears to six points, there was no dramatic finale, even though Dallaglio sacrificed a kickable penalty in pursuit of territory.
"I didn't think the game was retrievable by taking a penalty at goal. There were four minutes to go, and that included injury time," Dallaglio said.
"I felt the only way to win the game was to go on and try and score a try, which we came very close to doing. I don't think that was the wrong decision."
Forwards coach Andy Robinson, startled by the magnitude of England's line-out collapse, knew Ire-land had done a brilliant job in such a key area.
"We got outmuscled in the line-out. Ireland closed the spaces well, hit their jumpers in the air well and competed well," he said.
"They totally dominated us, and we then started to rush things.
"When we tried to go long in the line-out, we missed a couple of calls, which meant the ball was just thrown straight over the top.
"We had no momentum in the game because every time we threw in at the line-out, we had a lot of slow ball, or we lost it."
