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Team manager Martin Johnson admits England (6/4 Triple Crown at Betfred) will be punished by Ireland (15/8) in the Six Nations if they are as wasteful as they were against Italy in Rome.

England limped to a 17-12 victory at the Stadio Flaminio to bring supporters back down to earth after the promising opening win over Wales at Twickenham.

Johnson’s men failed to capitalise on a sin-binning in Italy despite a number of chances after putting the Welsh to the sword when lock Alun Wyn Jones was given ten minutes – and the World Cup-winning captain wants more of a cutting edge on February 27 at HQ against the Irish.

He said: “I admit I would be concerned if we had not created those breaks, had failed to unlock their defence so often. But we did.

“Our fault right now is not taking chances, being ruthless when the hard work has been done.”