While their Twickenham conquerors Ireland jigged away to celebrate a second Triple Crown in three seasons, England could only reflect on another disappointing campaign.

The world champions failed to improve on last years fourth-place finish, again losing three successive games.

Unlike the error-strewn RBS 6 Nations defeats against Scotland and France though, England could justifiably claim Brian ODriscoll and company really did enjoy the luck of the Irish.

Two decisions by touch judges Rob Dickson and Nigel Owens cost England everything in a rip-roaring contest decided at the death by wing Shane Horgans second try.

On the other hand, it is also a sound argument to suggest any team that leads three times at home - which England managed 5-0, 18-14 and 24-21 - should not finish second.

We made improvements, definitely, and we played most of the rugby, but we have come away with nothing, said try-scorer Noon, whose evening lasted just 27 minutes before a head wound forced him off.

You have just got to bite your tongue, really. The players were very disappointed at a couple of decisions they thought they should have received, but the referee (Welshman Nigel Whitehouse) has not given them.

The feeling is one of frustration. Ireland were struggling at times, and they had to work very hard for the win.

It just goes to show weve got a good strong squad of players - it is just a matter of turning up and limiting the number of mistakes we are making.

Finishing fourth in the championship for England is very disappointing, but we havent got time to sit around licking our wounds.

The lead changed hands five times, with Horgan (2) and number eight Denis Leamy claiming touchdowns for Ireland as they completed a hat-trick of victories over England for the first time in 30 years.

They could also reflect on a highest-ever points total against England, despite the world champions staying in touch through scores by Noon - after just 77 seconds - and lock Steve Borthwick, who bagged his first Test match try.

Fly-half Andy Goode slotted 14 points, but opposite number Ronan OGara landed 13, including the last-gasp conversion that crucially put England out of drop-goal reach in any desperate injury-time attempt to steal the match.

England have now lost eight of their 15 RBS 6 Nations games since the World Cup, while Robinsons success rate stands at just 50 per cent over 16 Tests, statistics that will intensify pressure on him.

Obviously, it is very frustrating, said Robinson.

I thought the performance of the side was very good throughout, with a tremendous start.

Weve lost the game by four points. It is small margins, but nothing really went our way. I couldnt fault the effort of our players.

International rugby can change very, very quickly and the momentum of the game can swing on decisions that are made.

I felt we were on the wrong end of a number of decisions, and that is disappointing.

''Credit to Ireland though, because they came here, took their chances and played well.

Irelands thrilling win ensured that France - conquerors of Wales in Cardiff - were crowned RBS 6 Nations champions.

England will rue the fact they conceded 16 turnovers and lost four line-outs - double the Irish statistics in both departments - but Robinson can also point to encouraging performances from Goode and centre Stuart Abbott ahead of this summers two-Test Australia tour.

The red-rose scrum had Ireland wilting, yet the visitors possessed a far more threatening back division and they could conceivably have gained a more conclusive triumph had ODriscoll not bombed a glorious chance by failing to find his unmarked midfield colleague Gordon DArcy with Englands line beckoning.