O'Driscoll (left) - Ireland must improve (Getty Images).

By Frank Malley, PA Chief Sports Writer

Ireland put a philosophical face on its failure to land a first Grand Slam in 55 years.

There were absolutely no complaints from the Emerald Isle as their Landsdown Road conquerors England flew home from Dublin with a championship clean sweep safely collected in addition to the RBS 6 Nations title.

Ireland had no answer to the English dream machine, and they knew it.

"It was a bad day at the office, but credit to England for a wonderful defensive performance before turning their pressure into points," said Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll.

"You have to be philosophical. If your best isn't good enough, then so be it. But we emphasised the importance of not waking up on Monday going 'could have, should have, would have'.

"Everyone gave their all. It was an unbelievably quick game - you always know if you say quick game when Peter Stringer (Ireland scrum-half) tells you it was a quick game.

"The world's fittest man was like a pinball heading between rucks, perpetual motion.

"We were nervous because of the opportunity that presented itself, but in one sense, had nothing to lose.

"We charged ourselves with a relatively simple task to go and play our hearts out. On the day, it wasn't enough."

The Irish newspapers that hit the streets this morning collectively acclaimed England's towering 42-6 victory, which removed once and for all the stigma that they cannot win big pressure games away from Twickenham.

England have secured 21 successive Tests match victories on home soil, but they are also now unbeaten in 11 games home and away, equalling their record set in 2000 and 2001.

"In chasing the game, we made mistakes, but that is the lot of most teams who try and play catch-up rugby," O'Driscoll said in his Irish Times diary.

"I would imagine it is rare that when England go in front, they are caught from behind. It just reinforces the quality of the team - they are so hard to peg back.

"We didn't always play fantastic rugby in the Six Nations, but we were very gutsy and we won matches that we wouldn't have done in other years.

"There is a confidence within the squad, and that is reflected in the last 10 minutes we managed in all games, bar this one, when we finished on the right side of the result.

"In fairness, we weren't in a position to do anything against England because they were out of sight at that stage.

"It was a disappointing end to an excellent season. We would have liked to have finished it in style, but it wasn't to be."

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