article_snippet: England's hopes of landing their first Grand Slam of Stuart Lancaster’s reign have been dashed again as Ireland deservedly earned a victory that leaves their red-hot favourites to retain their Six Nations title.
article_snippet: Lancaster’s men rarely threatened reproduce the form that saw Lancaster’s men open the Championship with wins over Wales and Italy as Robbie Henshaw’s second-half try, allied to 14 points from the boot of Jonny Sexton, inflicted a demoralising defeat on the visitors.
article_snippet: England's players look dejected after England's players conceded the opening try of the match against Ireland and Robbie Henshaw (left) .
article_snippet: While not as comprehensive as the 2013 defeat to Wales at the Millennium Stadium, or indeed their loss to Ireland on the same Aviva Stadium turf in 2011, in some ways this was just as demoralising in a home World Cup year.
article_snippet: There were some fine individual performances from England, with Billy Vunipola outstanding at No8, but collectively the visitors were no match for Joe Schmidt’s unbeaten Irish.
article_snippet: England, desperate for some silverware three years into Lancaster’s tenure, must now regroup to face Scotland and France at Twickenham but England, desperate for some silverware three years into Lancaster’s tenure will do in the knowledge England, desperate for some silverware three years into Lancaster’s tenure Grand Slam hopes have been shattered again.
article_snippet: England, desperate for some silverware three years into Lancaster’s tenure retain a small chance of winning the Championship, but that will prove of little comfort in the light of this comprehensive defeat.
article_snippet: Richard Wrigglesworth (left), George Kruis and Chris Robhaw react to England's defeat against Ireland .
article_snippet: England were desperate to avoid another slow start after going behind in both England first two games of the Championship but, following a lengthy pre-match build up which left the players on the field for several minutes prior to kick off, England were sluggish out of the blocks again.
article_snippet: England's players line up for the national anthem prior to the start of England's players game against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium .
article_snippet: It summed up England’s day.
highlights_snippet: England hopes of winning the competition are now out of England hopes of winning the competition hands .