Hooker Jamie George feels display in defeat to Ireland is benchmark for England

Jamie George insists England have laid the foundation for their 2023 World Cup bid after falling to a spirited 32-15 Guinness Six Nations defeat by Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

England were removed from title contention after being toppled by Andy Farrell’s men in a classic Test that was only decided in the closing stages, despite playing with 14 men for all but the opening 82 seconds after Charlie Ewels was sent off for a dangerous tackle.

What followed was a stirring act of defiance as an 8-0 deficit was pegged back to 15-15 with 15 minutes to go before Jack Conan and Finlay Bealham struck late on to propel Ireland out of sight.

We lost and I'm genuinely gutted we can't win the tournament, but at the same time there is so much to come from that game, to take from that game.- Jamie George

And, while England face a mountain to climb against France in Paris on Saturday, George reckons they must empty the tanks in pursuit of denying their rivals the Grand Slam.

“In 18 months’ time when we prepare for a World Cup we’ll look back and say that was our statement game we can hold ourselves to,” said George, who alongside Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge were totems of English resistance.

“That game is the benchmark for what we want to try to be at. Give us an extra player and we might have pushed it a little bit closer.

“Sometimes a performance like that can make you realise what you’re actually capable of. That’s why it’s odd.

“We lost and I’m genuinely gutted we can’t win the tournament, but at the same time there is so much to come from that game, to take from that game.

“We have to win against France on Saturday, I really do think that. I’m desperate to win. Not for any reason other than we deserve to off the back of the