The deadly sin-bins that cost England

It can't be easy being Martin Johnson. The England head coach had to watch on Saturday as his side had two men sent off for the third match in a row. Here we look at the six guilty offenders, and how England were punished for their mistakes...

Phil Vickery (55th minute)

What happened: You can understand Martin Johnson's frustration. All of Croke Park watched as referee Craig Joubert called Steve Borthwick over and told the England captain that any more penalties would result in a sin-binning. Barely minutes later, former England skipper Phil Vickery was penalised for killing the ball. True to his word Joubert reached for his yellow card and Vickery was sent to the stands.

Result: At the time the visitors were pinned back on their own line, and it only took Ireland two minutes to make their advantage count, as Brian O'Driscoll powered over the line.

Danny Care (69th minute)

What happened: Replacement scrum-half Danny Care only managed 11 minutes on the field before he was dismissed. The number nine received his marching orders after shoulder charging Marcus Horan. Martin Johnson reacted furiously as he watched the substitute trudge off.

Result: At that stage Ireland were leading 11-6 going into the last 10 minutes. England had to play the rest of the game with 14 men as Ronan O'Gara converted the penalty taking the hosts to 14-6, and out of sight.

Mike Tindall (16th minute)

What happened: Only minutes into the match, Steve Borthwick had already been given his now routine berating from the referee for his side's indiscipline. Borthwick went back and warned his players, but Mike Tindall, seemingly convinced that the rules didn't apply to him, continued to use his hands in the ruck. It may have been Tindall's first offence, but Jonathan Kaplan made an example of the England centre, dismissing him only 16 minutes into the game.