Honest.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has accepted responsibility for not preparing Ireland to handle with the early intensity put on them by England this afternoon in their 24-12 defeat at Twickenham.

The men in green were bullied from the start with England forcing them into two massive errors that both resulted in tries.

By half-time, they trailed 17-0 with the game pretty much dead and buried.

Asked on Virgin Media if he felt his side were shocked by England’s early intensity, the Ireland boss said:

“It looked like that and I’ll take responsibility for that. That’s to do with preparation,” Farrell said. 

“We’ve wanted a bit of grit like we talked about in the last couple of weeks, but it was lacking a bit in the first half.

“You can look at the first two tries, bounces of balls etc, but it comes from somewhere doesn’t it. It comes from the pressure and their intent.”

Farrell added that England were “ferocious” at the breakdown and like many people, agreed that the scoreline flattered Ireland.

“They were ferocious at the breakdown, they hit hard, carried hard as well. It’s the basics of rugby and they were on top in that regard.”

“I suppose we fired a few shots towards the end of the game when it was over. I suppose the scoreline flatters us in the end.”