Andy Farrell felt the necessity to question his role in preparing Ireland for battle, citing England's superiority in the hunger stakes during a 24-12 Guinness Six Nations defeat.

It was Ireland's third loss in a row to Eddie Jones' team in a 13-month spell and once again a lack of desire, or how evident it appeared that their opponents wanted it more, played its part.

The World Cup semi-finalists once again hit hard and early as they quickly went 14-0 up and never really looked back.

The Ireland players will be sick of standing under the posts in Twickenham, having conceded eight tries last August and another three today.

"I wouldn't say [we were] off the pace, they started pretty well," said Farrell.

"No excuses 'cos they've started pretty well against us before. We should have been ready for that. When you say 'off the pace' the opposition have something to do with that.

"We were coming here to try and win a Triple Crown, they were fighting to stay in the Championship. They came out of the blocks hard and got on the front foot, and we took a few sucker punches from them.

"I need to look at myself for that. Were they up for it more than us, us going for a Triple Crown?

"That's my responsibility, that shouldn't happen. I've to look at myself first and foremost.

"I asked the players at half-time about having proper belief about how you get to be at your best.

"You're at your best when you are rolling forward and winning collisions etc. We came off second best for larger periods of that first half."

Captain Johnny Sexton couldn't agree with his boss, however, and harked back to last season's 32-20 loss in Dublin.

"Faz will always say that [it's his responsibility]," he told RTE Sport.

"As players, I think we were in the right frame of mind. We're very disappointed. I thought we had a brilliant week's preparation."

"It was very similar, I suppose [to the loss last year]. Game-wise that chip through, they got a score off it. It was like being stuck in the same game."