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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said England “thoroughly deserved” their last-gasp 23-22 victory at Twickenham but added his side have to bounce back.
Ireland can still win the title when they face Scotland in their final match next Saturday in Dublin.
“Everyone’s a good winner; we’ve got to be good at losing as well,” Farrell said.
Ireland headed into their penultimate match at Twickenham knowing a victory of any kind would secure the title after Scotland lost to Italy earlier on Saturday.
However, a much-maligned England team came flying out of the blocks and Ollie Lawrence gave the hosts a deserved lead.
Despite being on top, Ireland ground out a 12-8 half-time lead through the boot of Jack Crowley.
Ireland extended their lead through James Lowe’s try but England hit back through George Furbank and the impressive Ben Earl.
England trailed by two points after Lowe’s late try in the corner, but Ireland handed England possession with 90 seconds remaining and the hosts capitalised when Smith dinked over a drop goal with the clock in the red.
While there was jubilation from England, the Ireland players were dejected as the chance to become the first team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations disappeared with Smith’s kick.
‘We were a little bit off’
The defeat also ended Ireland’s run of 11 consecutive victories in the competition.
The Grand Slam and Triple Crown may be gone, but Farrell’s men will look to regroup and win consecutive titles against Scotland in their final match.
“That’s the message in the dressing room,” Farrell said when asked if Ireland must lick their wounds with a title still on the line against Scotland.
“We’ve got to be realists and make sure that we review that properly. I’ll make sure we come into work on Monday with the with the smile on our face because there’s a championship to win.”
Farrell said England deserved credit for their victory but he was frustrated Ireland allowed them the chance.
“We gave them access, certainly in the first half and gave them access for the field position that they craved in the second half to going and winning,” he said.
“For large parts of that game, I thought we were a little bit off. England obviously had had the big say in that, but we showed the resilience to keep bouncing back.
“England found a way in the end and they thoroughly deserved the win.”
By Andy Gray
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