England head coach Steve Borthwick admitted his team left themselves a mountain to climb after a disastrous first half in their 42-21 loss to Ireland at Allianz Stadium. The match exposed England's vulnerabilities as they conceded 21 points before halftime, with Borthwick citing first-half errors as the decisive factor.

Ireland capitalized on England's mistakes, converting scoring opportunities into points while England struggled to find their rhythm. The 42-21 scoreline reflects a comprehensive defeat that will raise questions about England's preparation and execution against top-tier opposition. Ireland's clinical performance highlighted the gap between the teams during the opening 40 minutes.

Borthwick's assessment points to fundamental issues that need addressing before England's next fixture. The error-strewn display against Ireland suggests England must improve their discipline and decision-making under pressure. This defeat represents a significant setback in England's campaign and underscores the work required to compete with the world's best teams.