Shocking.

Ireland’s World Cup preparations were dealt an absolute hammer blow yesterday as they were completely demolished by old rivals England at Twickenham.

The men in green were absolutely atrocious from start the finish as England ran out 57-15 winners to leave Ireland in absolute tatters just weeks before the World Cup in Japan.

And to make matters worse – a very unwanted record was broken. Yesterday’s loss was Ireland’s worst defeat to England in history. 144 years and 135 Tests and this was the worst. That says an awful lot.

The 42-point winning margin eclipses the 40 point defeat at Lansdowne Road in 1997, and makes you wonder just what has happened a side that only a few months ago were on top of the world. A dark day for Irish Rugby.