Boss Steve Borthwick knocked back suggestions a lack of fitness was behind England’s second-half collapse in Saturday’s 27-22 defeat to Ireland.

Borthwick has regularly said the Premiership did not deliver players conditioned for international rugby but insisted that was not the case this weekend.

But even when England were leading towards the end of the first half in Dublin there were signs they were running out of steam with players taking a breather or calling for the physio.

And the sight of former England head of S&C Aled Walters, who jumped ship for Ireland in the summer, in the opposition ranks only reinforced the view – but Borthwick denied it was a factor.

The head coach said: “It was evident how hard the players ran for each other. That was a Test match where, for large parts, there wasn’t much in it.

“There was a period in the third quarter where tactically they won a couple of kick battles and there were a couple of penalties and that wasn’t down to conditioning.”

Former internationals Tommy Bowe and Matt Dawson were lining up on Saturday night to say England were not fit enough for their high line speed and kick chase heavy game.

“Second half they looked tired, they stood off Ireland and Ireland were able to find the gaps,” Bowe said on BBC Radio 5 Live, while Dawson blamed “fatigue” for England’s faults.

England now have to pick themselves up for the arrival of tournament favourites France at Twickenham on Saturday.

Borthwick is set to announce his team on Thursday and could look at different back row to take on the massive French forwards with Tom Willis and Ollie Chessum, replacements on Saturday, possibilities to be promoted.