The Ireland captain offered words of encouragement to his shell-shocked opposite number as Vickery began absorbing a 43-13 Croke Park calamity, which surpassed

Englands previous worst championship beating by France 35 years ago.

France are next up for England on Sunday week, with Wasps prop Vickery retained as skipper in a 28-man training squad which also includes uncapped club colleague James Haskell, 35-year-old London Irish back Mike Catt and recalled Bath lock Steve Borthwick.

Vickery said: My only positive to come out of the weekend for me was when I was sat at the dinner afterwards. I was there with my wife, Dricco and his girlfriend.

Dricco said: Are you all right? I was, like, no, and he said: Phil, look, I know this will sound silly, but I have been sat in your seat.

I know what it feels like - I have been there.

All you can do is try to move forward and motivate the guys and make sure that people believe in what you are doing.

While ODriscoll and company head to Edinburgh in nine days time and the prospect of securing a second successive RBS 6 Nations Triple Crown, Vickerys team must somehow try to stop title favourites France in their tracks.