Ex-skipper says England 'heads on the block on the back of that'

Former England captain Chris Robshaw warned there may soon be “heads on the block” after a second consecutive Guinness Six Nations defeat.

Last week’s 31-20 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield was followed by a 42-21 hammering at home to Ireland as England’s pre-tournament hopes of challenging for a title and even a grand slam have gone up in smoke.

Ireland led 22-0 inside half an hour with tries from Jamison Gibson-Park, Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien.

England mustered a response through Fraser Dingwall before the break but Dan Sheehan’s try at the start of the second half snuffed out any potential comeback. Jamie Osborne also crossed, with Ollie Lawrence’s and Sam Underhill’s scores scant consolation.

Robshaw told ITV: “The really disappointing thing today is it just looked a little bit flat. Especially with Maro Itoje’s 100th game, with losing last week and there’s been so much talk around how we’ve got to start quick – this Ireland side are under pressure themselves – I didn’t quite expect that performance.

“Maro needs to look within the squad now and they need to take ownership because as much as the coach can prepare the players, they need to step up, analyse themselves and be really critical.

“Unfortunately, we may see more heads on the block on the back of that and it’s not a nice place to be when that happens.”

World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson believes England face a “big challenge”, with even their next fixture against an improving Italy team offering no guarantees of a turnaround.

England coach Steve Borthwick set his sights before the tournament on a title decider against France, saying: “On March 14 in Paris, we want to be in a position entering that game where we can achieve what we’re all aiming to achieve.”

That goal now looks to be long gone and Wilkinson told ITV: “Maybe before the tournament you’re looking, planning your route – not that anyone looks too far ahead – but now you’re going, ‘what does this game mean?’.

“We said after the Scotland game, this game looks a bit different – now after both these games, that Italy game looks different.

“I think maybe there is a danger teams are starting to look and think England are susceptible. There’s no doubt England have the talent in that squad but but if you don’t have that ruthlessness underneath, teams have a lot of fun against you – they feel when you walk on the pitch, ‘Is it quite there?’.”