England head coach Steve Borthwick faces a crucial question following his side's Six Nations defeat to Ireland, despite showing marked improvements in their first outing of 2025.
The visitors put in a magnificent first-half display in Dublin, leading 10-5 at the break after a physically dominant performance.
However, the key issue that must now be addressed is what transpired after half-time, when England's control of the match slipped away.
The question Borthwick "should be asking with his players this week is what the hell happened after half time," according to Sir Clive Woodward, as the team prepares for their upcoming clash with France.
Steve Borthwick's side lost an entertaining opening match
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While the overall penalty count of 11 for England wasn't alarming, the timing and concentration of infractions proved costly.
The increased rate of penalties after the break handed Ireland crucial momentum and territorial advantage.
Against a side of Ireland's calibre, such mistakes proved particularly damaging, as the hosts capitalised on their opportunities.
The penalty issues contributed to Ireland's ability to secure a bonus-point victory, though England showed resilience to score late tries through Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman.
Despite some arguing these late scores merely added gloss to the scoreline, the underlying improvements in England's game were evident.
England fell apart at the start of the second half
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England's defensive organisation showed clear signs of improvement compared to their autumn performances, particularly in abandoning the previously problematic blitz defence system.
The shift in defensive strategy proved effective, especially during the first half when England's organisation without the ball was notably enhanced.
This tactical adjustment addressed earlier issues where players had appeared unconvinced by the blitz approach, which had led to inconsistent defensive alignment and vulnerable gaps.
While Ireland managed to score four tries, the overall defensive structure demonstrated positive progress, marking a significant step forward in England's development under Borthwick's leadership.
England now turn their attention to a crucial clash with France at Twickenham this Saturday, offering an immediate chance for redemption.
The French arrive fresh from putting 40 points past Wales in Paris, barely breaking a sweat in their opening fixture.
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Sir Clive Woodward wants answers
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Despite another tight loss for England, there are clear signs the team can break their losing streak, with several positives to build upon.
The upcoming match presents a huge opportunity that the English rugby public needs to fully support, as Borthwick's men look to convert their improved performance into a positive result on home soil.
