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Ireland “never really got out of the blocks” as their dream of back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams was ended by England, says former wing Tommy Bowe.
After winning their opening three matches, Ireland were hot favourites but Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop-goal gave England a 23-22 win at Twickenham.
Ireland will still win the title with victory over Scotland in their final match in Dublin on Saturday.
“We never got to see the vintage Ireland,” said Bowe.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Bowe added that England “100% delivered” as they ended Ireland’s run of 11 consecutive victories in the championship.
Ireland were bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations.
While Andy Farrell’s side were strong favourites heading into the game, England had an up-and-down start to their campaign with narrow wins over Italy and Wales followed up by a loss to Scotland.
Ireland held a 12-8 lead at half-time despite Ollie Lawrence’s well-taken try. The second half ebbed and flowed, before James Lowe’s second try of the game on 73 minutes looked to have handed the visitors victory.
However, Ireland kicked away possession with 90 seconds remaining and as England piled on the pressure, Steve Borthwick’s side capitalised when Smith dinked over a drop-goal with the clock in the red to snatch a dramatic win.
“Ireland went into this game as massive, massive favourites,” Bowe added. “All the pundits gave this England side all the ammunition they needed.
“It’s such a difficult place to come. Ireland were massive favourites heading into this game but they knew the danger that this English team posed.
“Ireland never really got out of the blocks. It’s a big day for England and, listen, fair play to them.
“They deserved it, it was a huge performance.”
‘Heartbreaking’
Former Ireland back row Chris Henry said the defeat was “heart-breaking” as the “chance to create history slipped away”.
“You are never going to get a 100% perfect game, but there is still so much more this team can do,” Henry said on BBC Radio Ulster.
“It’s just heart-breaking for Ireland. Yes, they had the chance to create history but that has slipped away from them.
“Before this game people were talking about Ireland being the best team in the world. It’s obviously an unbelievable time to be an Irish fan but we’re clearly not the finished product.
“The Grand Slam is gone but there is still so much more for next week. It is going to be huge.
“It’s about the leadership group coming together and, I know it is a cliche, but putting this behind them really quickly.”
Head coach Farrell had elected to go with six forwards and two backs on the bench for the trip to Twickenham.
Ireland’s backline resources were immediately stretched when Calvin Nash was forced off in the opening exchanges, which forced star full-back Hugo Keenan to move to the wing as Ciaran Frawley took over the mantle at 15.
However, Frawley suffered an injury of his own in the second half, which meant scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park’s enforced move to the wing where, to his credit, he put in a solid showing.
Henry added that the 6-2 forward-backs bench split was possibly the wrong call with hindsight and also felt that Garry Ringrose, who had missed the first three matches through injury, should have slotted back into the team.
“It’s so easy now looking back, but with hindsight Garry Ringrose, who is such an unbelievable 13… Robbie Henshaw had a solid game, but Ringrose adds something else.
“Hugo Keenan as well, having to move to the wing with the 6-2 split, it’s down to those small margins.
“In hindsight, maybe Ringrose is a guy who should maybe have been thrown in at 13.
“The English team can walk off proud. It was a fantastic game of rugby for the neutral.”
By Andy Gray
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