Jamie George hailed England’s last‑gasp victory over Ireland as a special day and a potential springboard to a rosier future. George said his team had been keen to respond to their disappointing loss to Scotland at Murrayfield and believes they have now issued an emphatic message to all those who doubted them.

George expressed that it was likely one of the most significant and gratifying days of his professional journey. He acknowledged that there were skeptics following the Scotland performance, and their doubts were probably valid. However, internally, they chose to ignore the criticism. To defeat a team of Ireland’s caliber, which George believes is the top team globally, made it a remarkable and unparalleled day.

George’s tournament has been full of ups and downs, as he recently experienced the loss of his mother to cancer. However, he felt a sense of satisfaction when the game ended. “I was feeling quite emotional because of everything that has happened recently. I am incredibly proud of the players and how they approached the game. We emphasized the importance of making Twickenham a difficult place to play, and I believe we achieved that today.”

“When playing for the English rugby team, receiving backlash after a loss is expected. That is simply the reality of it. However, what I am proud of is how we came together and communicated our plan for progress. Today, we showed great improvement and made significant strides. Although there has been criticism towards our offensive strategy, it should be noted that not many teams are able to score three tries against Ireland.”

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Steve Borthwick commended his team’s unwavering intensity throughout the entirety of the match, effectively shutting down Ireland’s potential for consecutive Six Nations grand slams. The head coach acknowledged that this level of intensity will become a defining characteristic of the team, stating, “We will continue to improve and grow as a team, but at the core, it is crucial to be able to persevere and win in challenging situations. Our team demonstrated that once again tonight.”

Neither Borthwick nor Andy Farrell made a big deal out of the exchange of words that occurred between them as they exited to the tunnel at half-time. Farrell even acknowledged England’s deserved victory, saying “To sum it up, England played well and deserved the win. Congratulations to them.” He also mentioned that his team needs to quickly learn from their mistakes and stay focused for the next game.

The captain of Ireland, Peter O’Mahony, acknowledged that England deserved the win. While disappointed as an Irish supporter, the flanker, who was in the sin-bin for 10 minutes, gave credit to England. He recognized their strong play and ability to disrupt Ireland’s game. He also noted that some of their mistakes were caused by England’s pressure.

The medical status of Henry Slade, Ollie Chessum, and Chandler Cunningham-South will determine England’s lineup for their upcoming match against France in Lyon. However, despite this uncertainty, Danny Care, who earned his 100th cap as a substitute, is confident that the team’s morale has significantly improved. He acknowledges their disappointment in the previous match against Scotland, but believes that the team is now ready to showcase their strength and unity.

Source: theguardian.com