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Worsley: We were not ready

26/02/2007

Joe Worsley has admitted a lack of preparation was to blame for England's embarrasing defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations.

Brian Ashton's side suffered a record 43-13 loss at Croke Park, the most points conceded by an England side in the history of the championships.

Six England players who started the game had played for their club sides the weekend before the Ireland game.

Worsley, one of England's most experienced players, believes England should have had two weeks of preparation.

"It does not help that every other team has a fortnight to prepare, whereas we're left with one or two training sessions," Worsley told the BBC.

"It's not the only thing, we didn't play well, but it really doesn't help."

The Wasps flanker, who has 52 international caps, added that England were way below-par against Eddie O'Sullivan's side.

"If we'd had more time together, working on drills and game plans, it would have been more ingrained into the players' minds and something we could have reverted to when it was going wrong," Worsley added.

"There are so many reasons why we lost on Saturday, but a lack of preparation and training together is one of them."

The result leaves England in third place in the Six Nations table ahead of the crunch tie with leaders France at Twickenham on Sunday March 11th.

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