He made his comeback from a serious ankle injury in Bath's defeat against Leeds, lasting the whole game following two months on the sidelines.
But the 25-year-old Yorkshireman then delivered a blunt assessment about his short-term England prospects.
"I don't think that I am ready to play international rugby just yet," said Tindall, who was watched at Headingley by England defence coach Phil Larder.
"It will be a couple of weeks to try and get back into the fold. There is a big difference between club rugby and international rugby, and I found it quite hard to get into the game.
"I've spoken to Phil Larder, and I told him that I felt ring-rusty. I am sure that I will speak to Clive (Woodward) also, but there is no point in being unrealistic about it. I missed too many tackles out there."
The Bath backs hardly covered themselves in glory, but it was difficult not to feel sympathy for Tindall, whose first appearance since December 27 predictably produced patches of play that fell way below the standard of a player capped 33 times by England.
"I didn't get involved as much as I would have liked, but at least I am back on the field," he added.
The sensible option, it seems, would be for Woodward to write off Tindall's RBS 6 Nations hopes and see him back to full match sharpness in time for England's summer tour of New Zealand and Australia.
England missed Tindall's physical presence and direct approach during the victories over Italy and Scotland earlier this month, so to lose him for the whole championship would be a major blow.
In Tindall's absence, Woodward switched wing Jason Robinson to centre, but his midfield partnership with Will Greenwood has not ignited.
Woodward plans to announce his team for the Ireland game, while changes are unlikely, he will surely look at England's back-three combination.
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