Maro Itoje was installed as England captain primarily for two reasons. First, to give England a more abrasive, harder edge. Second, to help England close out matches, to steer them home in the second half, when the clock is ticking down and when limbs are tired, minds are frayed and clear thinking is needed.

On the evidence of his first game since being appointed, he is halfway there. Because Itoje was possessed for the first 40 minutes, powerless for most of the second as England’s recurring problem reared its head again, the drop-off cataclysmic this time. Welcome to the new England era, same as the old one.

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As impressive as Itoje was in the first half, it is an irony lost on few that Steve Borthwick explained his reasoning for making him captain on the basis that he stays on the pitch for 80 minutes, only for England to turn in their worst second-half performance in recent memory. It is not Itoje’s fault; he alone cannot hold back the tide, or as he is often fond of telling us, in victory or defeat, “no man is an island”, but the most telling image of the final quarter was Itoje getting dumped on his backside by Jamison Gibson-Park and Caelan Doris. England had come to smash and grab, but in the end they were battered.

It is early days in Itoje’s captaincy. He will perhaps learn to exert more influence on referees as he gains experience but here he adopted a manner all too close to a sheepish schoolboy. It is one thing being polite, another making sure you get your point across. That said, Itoje’s strength as a leader was always going to be his willingness to go to places where others will follow and for the opening 50 or so minutes he did precisely that. England carried out their gameplan to the letter in the first half – the Curry brothers wreaking havoc at the breakdown and Itoje dragging England on to the front foot.

Granted, Ireland’s clunkiness played a part, but they were made to look off-colour by an England side who looked more athletic, more energetic. Lengthy defensive sets take their toll, however, and once Ireland found their gear, England wilted.

As the great Australian cricketer and commentator Richie Benaud used to say: “Captaincy is 90% luck and 10% skill. But don’t try it without that 10%.” And on that basis, Itoje’s tenure got off to the best possible start, winning the toss and opting to kick off. Soon Tom Curry was on the ball and, not long after, Marcus Smith scythed through the Ireland defence. It did not yield any points but it was a clear statement that England were here to play. To get in Ireland’s face.

The former England head coach Stuart Lancaster has left Racing 92 with immediate effect. Lancaster’s 18-month spell with the Paris club has ended after they failed to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions Cup, finishing second from bottom in their pool. They have also struggled domestically and sit 12th in the Top 14, just two points above the relegation zone. Owen Farrell joined the club last summer but has been affected by a groin injury, hampering his ability to contribute to their season. PA Media

Seven minutes in and Itoje was making his presence felt. He did his best to scrag Doris and was at the thick of things during a passage of play that brought a disallowed Ireland try, soon after Cadan Murley’s had opened the scoring. Ireland were battering away in England’s 22 and Itoje ran head first into the danger. He made two crucial tackles in quick succession and although the first was a penalty, he had succeeded in disrupting Ireland’s rhythm.

From the restart, Rónan Kelleher thought he had scored only for the try to be disallowed because Tadhg Beirne was illegally holding Itoje’s leg and preventing him from covering the space. It is unclear whether Itoje’s fierce remonstrations with the assistant referee played any part in the try being disallowed but it was a smart move nonetheless.

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Approaching the end of the first quarter with Ireland still in search of their stride, Itoje thundered into Finlay Bealham. The England lock knocked the ball on but here he was, setting the tone again. A few minutes later he made a try-saving tackle on Ryan Baird in the right corner.

In the second half, Itoje was penalised for a push in the lineout – on one hand a foolish one to give away as it enabled Sam Prendergast to kick Ireland ahead, on the other it was harsh and Ben O’Keeffe pinged the home side for the same thing a few minutes later. Itoje’s frustration began to get the better of him, his tone with O’Keeffe more angry, but the third quarter was nearly up by then, England were trailing by three and it was time for Itoje to demonstrate why he has been promoted to captain. In that respect, he failed.

Before the match, Itoje had expressed confidence that England had fixed their final-quarter frailties but here his side found another means to lose their way. At his best, Itoje is a moments player, capable of actions that swing momentum. It is his greatest strength, but that he could do nothing about England’s collapse will leave him with much to ponder.