Eddie Jones is backing his "struggling" England team to turn around their rugby fortunes after a second consecutive away defeat dashed their dream of a record third consecutive Six Nations title.
Speaking after England's 22-16 loss to France in Paris on Saturday (Sunday NZ time) - which saw Ireland clinch the championship - Jones said:
"It's a learning period for us, we're struggling at the moment, so we're always looking to learn and make sure we're stronger next time.
"We're going through a difficult period and we'll come out the other side of it soon I'm sure," Jones told BBC Sport.
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"We were about two or three per cent from where we needed to be. We were beaten at the breakdown, we gave away too many penalties, and when we had the momentum we didn't score.
"I thought the leadership was outstanding. We didn't play well, but we put ourselves into a position when we could have won the game. We will continue to exhaust different possibilities of how we can create momentum."
England's bid to win a third straight championship collapsed with a second away loss in the Six Nations for the first time since 2009.
After falling to Scotland at Murrayfield, England started the match at Stade de France knowing Ireland would be crowned champion unless it could beat the French with a four-tries bonus point.
Instead, England was uninspired in attack and dominated at the breakdown. They gave away 16 penalties, missed 16 tackles, and turned over nine times. They crossed the line just once, when Jonny May touched down with seven minutes left, and failed to see a chance in the final seconds.
Maxime Machenaud converted four penalties and replacement flyhalf Lionel Beauxis added another for the French, who were awarded a penalty try to break a 9-9 deadlock in the 49th minute.
It was France's first win over England in four years.
Dominated early when they were made to pay for their indiscipline, the French turned things around in the second half.
Back from the dressing room, England launched a gritty attack but it was stymied by a brilliant tackle from centre Mathieu Bastareaud on prop Mako Vunipola.
France came back with a move ignited by captain Guilhem Guirado, who took them into the English 22. Flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc kicked the ball high into the left corner, the ball fell for Benjamin Fall, but he was high-tackled by England fullback Anthony Watson.
Referee Jaco Peyper awarded a penalty try, sin-binned Watson, and France had rallied from 9-3 down.
France had another excellent chance soon after but Gael Fickou was stopped before the line after Remy Grosso broke the defense.
Machenaud made it 19-9 with his fourth penalty kick in the 63rd minute after England conceded for holding on.
Then England reduced the gap to 19-16 with a superb try. Elliot Daly collected the ball out wide and found May inside for the try, which was converted by Owen Farrell.
But England gave away yet another penalty and Beauxis kicked it.
Beauxis failed to find touch in injury time to extend some suspense. In front of the French posts, the England backs were poised for an overlap but a knock-on in a ruck finally ended the match and England's two-year reign.
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