France rout ‘can’t happen again’

ENGLAND have vowed that last week’s capitulation must ‘never happen again’ as they prepare for today’s daunting assignment against Ireland.

Steve Borthwick’s side suffered their worst-ever home defeat in a 53-10 mauling by France seven days ago and now they face the world’s No 1 side. England arrived in Dublin with wounded pride and hooker Jamie George said: ‘We’re a team that prides ourselves on physicality and that’s probably why it hurt as much as it did. We just didn’t give a good account of ourselves, we really didn’t. ‘Steve’s let us know that we certainly let ourselves down.

We’re very clear about why and that it can never happen again.’ Borthwick has moved Owen Farrell back into the No 10 jersey, taking over from Marcus Smith. Former coach Eddie Jones yesterday weighed in, saying the RFU may have influenced the coach’s decision.

‘The selection of Marcus — that’s the political selection,’ Jones said. ‘The media bangs on the door and the board reacts to that, and asks, “Why aren’t you picking him?” When you’re a young coach at the start of your career, you can get influenced by it. Allow the coach to coach.’