England back-row James Haskell feared that he had cost his team victory when he was sin-binned in Sunday's 12-6 win over Ireland in Dublin.

Haskell was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball out of a ruck in the 56th minute of the Six Nations clash, with the score level at 6-6. However, two late penalties from Owen Farrell secured the win for the away side.

"I think my life flashed before my eyes when I got the yellow and I thought if we lost, I may have to run straight out of the stadium," he told reporters.

"I was very disappointed to get the yellow because I didn't intentionally kick the ball and it was resting on my leg. However, there were three penalties in a row and someone was going to get it. Unfortunately, it was me.

"It is a credit to the coaches and the players on the pitch that we coped so well because it could have gone the other way in this weather. However, the boys dug really deep and I was delighted to get the opportunity to go back on and contribute."

"It was probably, in those conditions, easier not to have the ball. Andy Farrell has worked a lot with our defence and the guys were very passionate to get stuck into an Irish team with a lot of x-factor players."

Next up for England is a home clash against France.