Former Ireland head coach Eddie O’Sullivan reckons England cockiness played a part in their resounding defeat by Joe Schmidt's side yesterday.
The English fans came in their thousands to Dublin this weekend in expectation of a fifth win in a row over the Irish, but a clinical performance saw Ireland win on a pretty comfortable scoreline of 19–9.
"From the word go, we just a level of intensity that England couldn't deal with, and we basically strangled the life out of them," Biarritz boss O’Sullivan told Ivan on Newstalk's Breakfast. "I don't think at any stage of the game England looked in control or like they were going to win.
"England, not for first time, were guilty of getting ahead of themselves. [They had] a very strong performance in Cardiff, which is what they were measured on. I think they almost expected it to happen and they didn't think they had to do anything differently."
Both Jonathan Sexton and Sean O'Brien had to be replaced - with a hamstring strain and apparent concussion respectively - but O'Sullivan reckons the two-week lay-off before the next game against Wales could be a godsend.
"I'd be more concerned about O'Brien," said the Corkman, "because that concussion protocol is very strict now and if he's not 100 per cent he could be in trouble - although the good news is there's two-week window to get everybody fit for Cardiff.
"Sexton didn't seem to be in a lot of difficulty. With a two-week window, I wouldn't have any concerns that he'll be fit."
"Wales, they are back on the horse," added O'Sullivan after the Dragons beat France in Saint-Denis on Saturday.
"They got a really kick in the guts against England at home, but I think the Paris victory would really give them the confidence they need going into this game against Ireland ... Wales take over the championship in terms of the driving seat if they beat Ireland."
Eddie also says that "on current form" Ireland could get to the final of the World Cup later this year.
While Ireland had the rugby result of the weekend, there's no doubting where the finest piece of skill was executed - albeit in a code switch to rugby league ... take a bow Rangi Chase of Salford Red Devils...
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