Borthwick’s plans in shreds as ruthless Ireland heap more misery on England

Henry Pollock, the most obvious embodiment of England’s brash future, had to bend his knee to Caelan Doris Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

So it looks as if it might have been a bubble. England’s 12-match winning run came to a shuddering halt last week, but it was possible to believe that flop might prove a one-off – a chastened Scotland at home, after all, has been the downfall of many an England team.

Well, there are scattered strips of latex all over Twickenham now, England’s balloon more than spectacularly popped by an Ireland side who are hardly afraid of inspirational rugby against this lot themselves.