Battered.

Ireland’s World Cup preparations were dealt an absolute hammer blow this afternoon as England made light work of them in a 57-15 defeat at Twickenham Stadium.

Joe Schmidt’s men took an early lead through Jordan Larmour in the eight minute after Owen Farrell had scored a penalty. But after that it was one way traffic.

And to make matters even worse Conor Murray and Cian Healy both picked up worrying injuries in the first half leaving Ireland absolutely battered and bruised on top of a humiliating defeat at the hands of their old rivals.

Up next for Ireland it’s Wales home and away – and if it’s anything like today, the men in green will be seriously worried.