BEN STOKED

Earl's masterplan works to perfection as Borthwick hails back rower who had been left in the wilderness during Eddie Jones' years

- ADAM HATHAWAY

England 23 Ireland 22

STEVE BORTHWICK revealed Ben Earl showed him the blueprint of how he was going to destroy the Irish hours before kick-off on Saturday.

Earl elevated himself into the top rank of world backrowers by outplaying Ireland's celebrated trio of Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris in England's shock 23-22 win at Twickenham.

The 26-year-old made a mockery of his chequered selection history with 19 carries, making 101 metres, 12 tackles and a tide-turning try.

Earl (celebrating with Marcus Smith and Theo Dan, top) was messed about by Eddie Jones and was in and out under Borthwick until taking last autumn's World Cup by storm.

And Borthwick said the Saracens man had tipped him off about how he was going to tackle the Grand Slam-chasing Irish at a meeting ahead of the Twickenham date.