Vickery: Unacceptable

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Captain Phil Vickery pulled no punches in the aftermath of England's embarrassing 15-9 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.

Vickery refused to defend his side's inept display which has ended any English hopes of securing a first RBS Six Nations crown since the Grand Slam triumph in 2003.

The England prop revealed both his anguish and bemusement at the display which was a stark contrast to the confident performance which stunned France in Paris a fortnight ago.

"It is very disappointing, especially after France," said Vickery.

"We talked all week about performing at a higher level all the time. But we didn't perform at a high level - and we got our just deserts.

"We went out and did everything we said we wouldn't do in the first 30 minutes, and we were on the back foot.

"We had talked about discipline all week, before kick-off and at half-time.

"In a hostile environment away from home, we knew we had to be squeaky clean and couldn't afford to give Scotland anything.

Bounce back

"It is very difficult to put into words my feelings and those of the guys. We will have to regroup."

Attention now turns to England's final Six Nations match against Ireland at Croke Park on March 15, and Vickery admits his side must bounce back as under-fire coach Brian Ashton is expected to re-shuffle his pack.

"We've got to get a win, we've got to have some pretty open and honest conversations among ourselves, and we've got to prepare," said Vickery.

"I hope I will get a chance to play because I am sure Brian will be making some changes.

"I think we are good enough, but we have got to play consistently at the level we produced at times in Paris.

"It is about performing, and not enough of us performed to a high enough standard.

"You can be as technical as you want and talk about coaches, but at the end of the day you have got to go out and perform.

"It is not good enough. It is unacceptable we are facing an Ireland team next weekend and possibly losing three games in the Six Nations."