Ireland 19-9 England: Stuart Lancaster retains Six Nations hopes despite crushing defeat in Dublin

England coach Stuart Lancaster insists his side can still win the 2015 Six Nations despite suffering a harrowing 19-9 defeat to holders Ireland in Dublin.

Robbie Henshaw's try and 14 points from Johnny Sexton saw Joe Schmidt's side ease to victory as England faltered badly in the Irish capital.

Victory sees Ireland top the Six Nations table and remain on course for a first grand slam since 2009 while England head into their final two matches needing favours to win their first title for four years.

"Absolutely we can still win the Six Nations," Lancaster said. "There are very few Grand Slam teams.

"In the majority of years you end up with a team winning the championship that has lost one game along the way.

"We have two games at home and it's critical we get as much out of those as we can.

"Ireland have two games away and Wales are still in the hunt having won at the weekend. Wales against Ireland will be a big game, but we can't control that."

Ireland travel to Wales and Scotland on the final two weekends of the championship while England have home matches against winless Scotland and France at Twickenham.

George Ford's three penalties was all England could muster following two encouraging wins over Wales and Italy and despite swathes of late pressure they were unable to break-through a stubborn Irish defence.

"The late surge showed what we can do but in the first half we struggled," Lancaster added.

"Their try was a key moment, as was when we lost a lineout in the first period having kicked to touch instead of for goal. We knew this was going to be a potential banana skin as it is a very difficult place to come and win."