English Rugby
RFU embarrassed by Grand Slam ad
ESPNscrum Staff
March 22, 2011
England players react to their defeat to Ireland in Dublin, Ireland v England, Six Nations, Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland, March 19, 2011
England were hammered by Ireland in Dublin © Getty Images
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The RFU has denied that England took the challenge posed by Ireland lightly after an embarrassing advertisement celebrating the Grand Slam was leaked.

The video, produced by their official kit supplier Nike, shows several players, among them Toby Flood, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden, in a series of action clips.

England were hammered 24-8 by Declan Kidney's side in Dublin on Saturday to end their hopes of a first clean sweep since 2003, making a mockery of the advert's final frame, an image of the red rose emblem on top of a caption reading 'Grand Slam Champions 2011'.

The photo shoot for the footage took place midway through the Six Nations, which England won despite their rout in Dublin. The RFU explained that filming the advert in advance was necessary for commercial reasons and have denied Ireland were taken too lightly.

"The RFU works with all its commercial partners on their sponsorship activation," a statement read. "Forward planning is a crucial part of all commercial partnerships and all contingencies, winning or losing, have to be considered.

"It is disappointing that details of Nike's internal planning has got into the public domain. In no way did the RFU or the England team underestimate the challenge that the Ireland team would pose. We were well beaten by a team who played better and we have the utmost respect for [Ireland coach] Declan Kidney and the Irish players."

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