Eire dispatched 14-man England 29-16 in Dublin to assert their fourth Six Nations Grand Slam, and second in 5 years. Dan Sheehan crossed twice, with Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring additionally going over in a conflict the place Freddie Steward was despatched off for a problem on Hugo Keenan.Johnny Sexton ended his Six Nations journey with a tournament-record 559 factors, with Eire cemented because the world’s primary Check group heading into the World Cup in France.England have been at the least capable of atone for final weekend’s 53-10 file house defeat by France, however stay a great distance behind Check rugby’s frontrunners.Pink Rose boss Borthwick hailed counterpart Andy Farrell for taking Eire to new heights, earlier than insisting England can meet up with their opponents in time for the World Cup.READ MORE“I’ve had the privilege to educate alongside Andy with the Lions in 2017, I used to be additionally coached by him at Saracens,” stated Borthwick.“You possibly can see he’s an unbelievable coach, and it’s a group packed stuffed with expertise. They’re the perfect on this planet they usually’ve set a benchmark.“And we’ve discovered ourselves brief as we speak of the place they’re. Now it’s our job to go and discover a approach to get nearer to them, and to have the ability to win video games like that.”Steward’s crimson card was hotly disputed by an England aspect nonplussed by referee Jaco Peyper’s resolution after the Leicester star’s conflict with Keenan.Steward had clearly tried to minimise his contact by leaning again, solely to be critiqued by the officers for being too upright within the collision.Head coach Borthwick and skipper Owen Farrell took a cautious strategy to the sending off, however vice-captain Ellis Genge laid naked England’s frustrations.“I don’t need anybody to get hit within the head and I actually don’t need anybody chucking elbows and shoulders, however there was completely no malice in what Freddie did, no malice by any means,” stated Genge.“He didn’t intend to harm anybody, he’s really tried to drag out and never harm the bloke, so it was a whole and whole accident for me, and I don’t assume he will be punished like that.England have been left with a mountain to climb after Freddie Steward’s crimson card / PA“However a crimson is a crimson and we simply needed to take care of it. The referee made his resolution, truthful play. In a high-pressure recreation, the ref has to make large calls and he made one.“It’s important to decide and he would most likely get hammered by his superiors if he doesn’t make that call. There’s loads of stuff happening about head trauma in the mean time, so I get it to a sure extent. For me, it’s not a crimson however I’m not going to make an excuse as a result of I believe we had a possibility to win.”Sexton has gained every little thing in rugby barring the World Cup, and Eire shall be out to make historical past on the international match in France.Head coach Farrell has the Irish embracing the stress of being the world’s prime group like no different iteration of the nationwide aspect that has gone earlier than them.And Sexton has already set his sights on the World Cup, even whereas nonetheless celebrating the Grand Slam triumph. Eire have by no means earlier than gone past the quarter-finals at a World Cup, however Sexton and firm have far loftier concepts for France.“This can be a excessive level, however I hope it’s not the very best level,” stated Sexton.“These moments don’t occur usually, that is the fourth time ever. We gained a Grand Slam, it’s pinch-yourself stuff. I stated in the course of the week it’s the stuff of desires. Rising up all you wish to do is play for Eire.“After I was rising up I at all times needed to captain Eire, and this fella (Farrell) requested me to do it. It was most likely top-of-the-line days of my life when he did, and today is even higher.“I stated within the dressing room there, this isn’t the tip. There’s lots extra left on this group. We’ve spoken about constructing in the direction of the World Cup, and that is a part of the journey.“When England gained the World Cup in 2003 they’d a Grand Slam in the identical yr, so we have to preserve our toes on the bottom to start with and preserve constructing.”
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Steve Borthwick urges England to match ‘benchmark’ set by Eire forward of World Cup
