Having taught Andy Farrell in his early rugby league days and watched with admiration as he became possibly the best player in the history of the game, I was keen to monitor his progress in rugby union ( the game I played personally for many years). I feel he has been used as a scapegoat against Ireland (who played superbly well) as the pack did not perform and everyone knows that with slow or non-existent ball it is difficult to create opportunities. Take a look from a neutral point of view and the only mistake he made was to give away a penalty because three Irish players had got to him before any English. He is not the fastest of players, but his vision, defence and sheer enthusiasm for the game must be enough to persevere with him at least till the end of the six nations.

Nigel Green, Wigan,

Obliviously i was delighted with last saturdays result.But I have to say i think you Jonny are the best out half in the world even ahead of o'Gara!You are an inspiration to all injured sportspeople outthere.The hard work you put in to come back from 11 serious injuries is unreal.I saw you in dublin in 2003 and as usual you were kicking left,right and centre.ITs a day ill never forget seeing my sportinghero with my own two eyes.Good luck against France and i pray you stay injury free.

fiona griffin, co.kerry, ireland

I know harping on about past glories doesn't help the current predicament for England, but can't let this one slide. Chris McKinley, talk about whinging poms, can't remember how Jonny got the ball for that famous drop goal......you got any ideas??? 1st 5 that couldn't intimidate defenses.... tell that to Martin Johnson.

Anthony, bedfordshire,

Give strettle the ball!! I played with Stret at University and he hasa wheels. Why didn't England get it out to the backs and play with it last sat??

Iain, Sheffield, England

Current players writing articles in the press following games they have played in is a bit of a joke. They may get money for their thoughts but they can never deliver any kind of true insights. He says that the team is early in its development when they have an average age of near 30. Yes, you can offer that excuse when the average age is under 25, but 30!!!!

David , Kettering,

W Bell-Gam of London has a point. This was a great performance, enjoyed by neutrals and partisans alike, and a thoroughly brilliant result, no question. BUT Ireland have let the grand slam slip yet again! Ireland can of course look forward to being contenders in the World Cup, and who would not wish them luck? But the boys in green have more ghosts to lay to rest on the way. Can they keep their heads and win match after match to the final? Are Ireland their own worst enemies? The last minute v France leaves room for doubt. In contrast, remember how close it was for England in Australia, when they held their nerve right at the end! To Ireland to prove their mental strength. They must. If they do that, then their unique talents like D'arcy and O'Driscoll will get their reward. (In fairness, the same questions can be asked of France and the All Blacks, like Ireland, brilliant potential, but always capable of losing a soft semi.)

RJ Doyle, Paris, France

We were well beaten by a much better side on the day, and i don't understand all the old guard pointing their finger at Farrell. What I really struggle to understand (and always have) was our kicking strategy (and also against Italy). Why do we continue to punt down the middle when O Gara was clearly pinning us back in our own territory and our lineout was under pressure. Surely best to hit touch, get out of our 22 and recamp?? We were just inviting pressure??

Mike F, Stevenage, UK

Mr Collis, I appear to have inadvertently struck a raw nerve. Ireland's performance against England was one of the most dominating performances against any team I have seen at international level. However, I am not prepared to start putting this very impressive irish team on a pedestal until they have won something significant. Sport at this level seems to be about taking the opportunities which are placed in front of you as and when they arise. Ireland are doing just that. I hope Ireland will continue to do this into the world cup. Just like Ireland bounced back against France 2 weeks ago, England will be there at the business end of this tournament and the world cup. Regards.

W Bell-Gam, London,

Oh Johnny, You are such a dreamer...I agree with some pundits that your side should be building for another world cup, not this years one. The question is which one? The way your side looks I think 2011 might be too early - perhaps 2015? No, too optimistic. Make it 2019! And gee, it's lucky you don't believe in world rankings - how convenient for you. I'm still in shock at hearing a professional rugby player remark that "the scoreline was irrelevant"...perhaps that's your problem? You definitely have "lots to learn". To me one of the greatest deceptions in world sport is that a '1st Five' without the skill to intimidate defenses, the explosiveness to penetrate the line, the intuition to mesmerize the fans, the ability to ignite a backline, the flair to entertain a crowd and with very definitely nothing more than an accurate boot was somehow crowned a world champion...I want my money back!

Chris McKinley, Sydney, Australia

Don't recriminate. We were beaten by a much better team on the day. England had a good run that culminated in a World Cup win and I hope for one that Ireland's current group of outstanding players can do the same. The grace of the Irish public's stunning welcome to the England team is something that all rugby fans should not forget - perfectly complimented by a team who played the game hard and won fair and square. Celebrate a day when rugby was the winner and look forward to the next meeting at Twickenham - let us hope that we English become as good winners as the Irish nation was last weekend.

Charles, Bristol,

Thanks for your honesty Jonny. The English rugby fans I have spoken to in the last few days have only good things to say about the Irish performance. Similarly Irish rugby fans have exhibited typical good grace over their victory. This clearly cannot be said of you Mr Collis.

This was a stunning dispaly of forward power, and as an English rugby fan I enjoyed watching it despite the fact that we were roundly thrashed. Our weaknesses were almost all up front, forcing our backs into defensive play; Lewsey, Tait, Wilkinson and Morgan all defending like demons. I agree there are problems with the centre pairing, but Farrel has a handy boot doesnt he?

Well done Ireland, and all the best against France Jonny!!

Sarah, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

He wasn’t making any excuses. The article reflects his mental outlook, and that mental outlook is one of a winner. It’s a shame England got little ball on Saturday, because I think, given half a chance, you could have put the hype surrounding O'Gara to rest.

You’re right that all that matters is results. Sadly, one of the unfair things in sports is that despite how good a team is or how much talent it has, it means nothing it if doesn’t get transferred into results. Achievement gets measured by stats, nothing else.

I hope the rest of the England team shows your mental strength and that the squad can get back on track with the rebuilding process by beating France

Rory Considine, Liverpool, England

If this the best analysis that England can muster then heaven help us - it is one thing to learn from an utter whopping and another to come up with a lot of 'management speak' nonesense. With this level of awareness (and lack of insight and inspiration in key positions in the team - Farrell and Tindall ... plllease, it harks back to the bad old days) then Engalnd won't get far . It may not be pretty but they need to inspire and invoke the 'skill' that won the World Cup - strength and dominance in the pack and some match winners outside.

John, Bath,

Well done to you and your team-mates for a great show of sportsmanship in Croke Park. Welcome back anytimel;)

Tom, Cork, Ireland

"a very accomplished and dogged Irish performance" Im sorry Mr Bell-Gam but that is not what happened at all. a dogged performance brings a 6 point win Ireland won by 30points they were outstanding and totally controlled the game not because they were "accomplished" they dominated England because they were simply outstanding. And Johnny Ireland have beaten England 4years running now just how long does it take you guys to learn that 10man rugby is dead and gone. The English backs bar the new boy at11 were appalling not 1 footballing brain between them. just take the centres for example tindel went off the boil 5years ago and Farrell is a poor flanker who got lost. then just look at ODriscoll and Darcy 2outstanding complete players flawless in defence and attack. Ireland won because last Saturday the 2nd best team played a team you would struggle to get into the top 5teams in the world. Ireland won because it was men against boys and long may it continue

Gerard Collis, Dublin, Ireland

England had too many players who were not at peak physical condition and this was ruthlessly exposed by an Irish team playing like men possessed. All would agree that England have enough class players to compete against any international team but they muct be able to match the top teams in area of conditioning.

Declan Ryan, Dublin, Ireland

The idea of rubgy being the ultimate team game is absurd. Could it be that a sport called Ultimate is more deserving of such a title?

Ally Taylor, Aberdeen, UK

Ireland are a tough team to beat when you are on form, but with England as they are then its no wonder we got ripped up. We need to lose Farrell and bring in Catt or Tait for speed, a good balance to the bulk of Tindell. We need Julian white on to scrumage with Tom Reece doing a Neil Back role. Grewcock I hope will not be seen in a white shirt until he can sort his self out. The forwards need to throw their weight around and get stuck in and the backs just need to stay cool and the tries will come. Simple really :p

doug, ipswich, suffolk

stop making excuses, you were taken to pieces pure and simple !

ambrose, soton,

Good to see you putting the defeat into perspective. I hope England learn from what was a very accomplished and dogged Irish performance. Good luck with the Falcons at the weekend.

W Bell-Gam, London,

Fair play Jonny. Nice to see honesty - shown by all the england players. Were a credit to your country even though in the game maybe not so. But we (irish) know England will be back. Hopefully we'll be better also. Hope things keep on improving for you

Mike Dee, Cork, Ireland