BBC Sportrugbyunion

By Ben Dirs

Flanker James Haskell wants individual England players to be singled out for acts of indiscipline after the 14-13 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

Martin Johnson's men gave away 18 penalties to Ireland's eight and had two players sin-binned.

Haskell told BBC Sport: "It's very frustrating, since we've spent the last two weeks talking about indiscipline.

"We've got to start pointing fingers. People have to put their hands up, we have to be more accountable."

Prop Phil Vickery was yellow-carded following a string of misdemeanours while replacement scrum-half Danny Care also missed 10 minutes after a shoulder barge at the back of a ruck.

Johnson had spent the previous two weeks drumming home to both his players and the media the importance of good discipline, and his fury was obvious at times, especially when Care was dismissed.

And it was only the profligacy of Ireland's Ronan O'Gara, who missed four of six kicks, that ensured England were still in the match at the death.

In the second half we pushed the boundaries too much Mark Cueto

"We could have achieved something very special, but we've come away with a big negative rather than a positive," added Haskell, who received yellow cards in the defeat by New Zealand in November and the win over Italy.

"As players we don't have a problem with indiscipline at our clubs, otherwise we wouldn't be called up to the England team.

"But 18 penalties is not good enough. We have to trust ourselves more and have faith in our defence, we don't need to break the rules."

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Winger Mark Cueto was at a loss to explain England's indisciplined display.

"For the past two weeks we've been talking about reducing the penalty count, so it's massively frustrating," said the Sale back.

"We let ourselves down in the second half, it was like the Wales game all over again.

"I don't know why it's happening. In the first half we defended really well and soaked up Ireland's pressure.

"But in the second half we pushed the boundaries too much, and you don't need to do that, you just need to trust your defence more.

"It's frustrating as a team, we could have won that Test. But if you give 18 penalties away in a Test, you've got no chance."

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