Ireland vs England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from World Cup warm-up after Billy Vunipola red card
Ireland 29-10 England: England endured more red card drama as Billy Vunipola was sent off in a disheartening loss in Dublin
Billy Vunipola was sent off as England’s stuttering Rugby World Cup preparations were thrown into further disarray by a costly 29-10 defeat to Ireland amid Owen Farrell’s ongoing disciplinary saga.
The No 8 is likely to miss the start of the tournament in France after his 53rd-minute yellow card for making contact with the head of Andrew Porter was upgraded to red.
Steve Borthwick’s men were comfortably dispatched in a disjointed Dublin affair, which influential captain Farrell sat out following the fallout of his dismissal against Wales last weekend. Vunipola’s premature departure compounded a meek display and he will now join Saracens team-mate Farrell in facing a disciplinary panel with England’s World Cup opener against Argentina on September 9 fast approaching.
Keith Earls marked his 100th cap by claiming the fifth of Ireland’s tries, adding to scores from Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe and Mack Hansen, as the hosts retained their place at the top of the world rankings courtesy of a 12th successive win.
Relive all the action from Ireland vs England below.
Ireland 29-10 England, 79 minutes
A first glimpse of what Theo Dan can offer, the hooker hitting a lovely line and accelerating through a gap. Joe Marler isn’t quite the man England want hovering at the base of the next ruck, though, and the loosehead knocks on having appeared slightly unsure of what to do with himself.
Marcus Smith shows his jinking feet from full back but it’s inconsequential. That’ll do us.
Ireland 29-10 England, 77 minutes
Mack Hansen is named the player of the match, he and James Lowe so crucial to Irelnad’s game throughout off their wings, and each celebrating with a score. It’s not all been perfect from Ireland, with plenty in need of tuning before the more important stuff to come, but England have never been able to build any kind of pressure.
The visitors’ latest foray into Ireland’s red area ends in a heap. Maul ball unplayable; Ireland’s scrum.
TRY! IRELAND 29-10 England (Keith Earls try, 74 minutes)
Who better to make sure they don’t?
No popular scorer inside the Aviva Stadium today. England turn the ball over from the restart and never recover, Bundee Aki playing the provider with a gorgeous double miss ball. Keith Earls puts his foot down and beats Danny Care and Marcus Smith to the corner, grounding with a Robbie Keane-style forward roll and celebrating with a punch of the air as his teammates rush over for the heartiest of embraces.
Jack Crowley converts from the left touchline.
TRY! Ireland 22-10 ENGLAND (Kyle Sinckler try, 72 minutes)
And Kyle Sinckler squirms over! Paul Williams spots the ball on the floor amid the clump of bodies and awards the try. George Ford wastes no time with the conversion. Surely England can’t resurrect themselves again?
Ireland 22-3 England, 71 minutes
Can England find something late on? Danny Care taps a penalty quickly vaguely in the right area and Paul Williams permits him to continue.
Ireland 22-3 England, 70 minutes
Ireland’s new half back combination doesn’t quite connect. Conor Murray tosses waywardly; Jack Crowley knocks on.
This was rather smoother from the home side:
Ireland 22-3 England, 69 minutes
Dan makes a trademark burst in the centres but England just aren’t finding the tools they need to unlock this Ireland defence. Freddie Steward is caught in a choke tackle, tangled in the vines as green limbs surround him - turnover, Ireland’s scrum.
Changes for both teams: Aki does now return, with Jack Crowley sliding across to fly half and Ross Byrne off, while Marcus Smith comes on in the back three for England, with Freddie Steward moved to the wing. Fascinating.
James Ryan’s day is done, too. Caelan Doris replaces the Ireland captain.
Ireland 22-3 England, 67 minutes
Bundee Aki has been cleared to return from his HIA, but it is slightly too soon for the centre’s comeback and he’s asked to sit back down again. No word on James Lowe, but you suspect Keith Earls is on for the remainder regardless.
One man who is on is Theo Dan, getting vital international minutes with England so short of hooker experience behind Jamie George.
TRY! IRELAND 22-3 England (Mack Hansen try, 65 minutes)
Another pretty rainbow from Ross Byrne and Mack Hansen sashays in!
The forwards again do plenty of damage for Ireland, allowing their backs to capitalise for the fourth score. Jamison Gibson-Park passes, loops, and passes again, allowing Byrne the freedom to launch another of his delectable wide passes out to the wing.
Freddie Steward has to rush across and overchases, with Joe Marchant not close enough on the inside to prevent Hansen from sliding over.
Ireland 17-3 England, 63 minutes
Elliot Daly requires two attempts to take a high kick, leaving him vulnerable to Mack Hansen’s rib-tickler. England do well to regather and attack up the blindside on the left, but Danny Care runs out of support.
Ross Byrne dumps Daly on his posterior and Ireland turn England over, James Ryan the unlikely identity of the player chipping and chasing beyond the visitors’ defence. Freddie Steward gets back to smother and kicks upfield, but a high shot from Maro Itoje on a stooping carrier grants Ireland another opportunity to work out their lineout kinks after booting to the corner.
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