Rugby: England will get chance to make amends

England’s Grand Slam flops were back with their clubs today - some facing two weeks of torment before Clive Woodward announces his team to tackle world champions Australia.

The Wallabies, who arrived in London yesterday, are next up for England on November 10.

Such a showpiece clash provides Woodward’s men with an instant chance to start atoning for their latest Grand Slam failure, a thoroughly deserved 20-14 defeat against Ireland at an emotion-charged Lansdowne Road.

Once again, England collapsed with the finishing line in sight, making it three successive seasons when they have run out of steam.

As against Wales in 1999 and Scotland last year, England found themselves 80 minutes away from a Five/Six Nations Championship clean sweep.

But they blew it, and not even the compensation of another Six Nations title could lift a dejected squad.

Minus injured Lions Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Phil Vickery, England lacked leadership, made numerous unforced errors, turned over possession far too frequently and conceded double their target penalty count at Test level.

Few players rose above such startling mediocrity Dan Luger, Jason Robinson, Mike Catt and Danny Grewcock were the probable exceptions - and Woodward can now get tough.

Iain Balshaw’s full-back selection was exposed as a glaring error. He has lacked confidence for months, a fact highlighted during the Lions’ Australia tour, and proved a frail shadow of the figure that mesmerised opposition defences last term.

The dependable Matt Perry must return against Australia, while in-form Graham Rowntree deserves to oust 92 times-capped Jason Leonard, hooker Dorian West should replace Phil Greening and Johnson’s recovery from a broken hand cannot happen soon enough.

He is racing against time to make the Wallabies clash, but without him, England’s chances of repeating last autumn’s thrilling triumph over Australia will be considerably reduced.

In fairness to Woodward and his players, they fronted up immediately following the Dublin debacle, and offered no excuses.

‘‘I am not going to moan and whinge about it - we lost fair and square,’’ said manager Woodward, whose team’s impressive 11-Test unbeaten run ended amid scenes of unforgettable Irish celebration.

‘‘There are no excuses. Playing conditions were great, but we just didn’t perform well enough,’’ he added.

‘‘We’ve bounced back from these type of high-profile defeats before, and I am determined that we will bounce back against Australia, who are the best team in the world.’’

Ireland never looked back from the moment inspirational skipper Keith Wood stormed over for a 17th-minute touchdown.

Fly-half David Humphreys and his 58th-minute replacement Ronan O’Gara kicked five penalties between them to keep England at bay, guaranteeing a first victory in this fixture since Simon Geoghegan’s memorable Twickenham try secured success seven years ago.

England substitute Austin Healey grabbed a try four minutes from time, and Jonny Wilkinson slotted three penalties, yet England deserved nothing, such was their ineptitude.

‘‘Our collective will to win outshone England’s best effort,’’ said O’Gara, in a perfect summing up of arguably Woodward’s most frustrating day since he took charge in September, 1997.