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 17-3 England, 60 minutes
England poke to the corner and launch their attack, perhaps drawing on some of the belief they showed in the final quarter last week. But Ireland are not Wales, and those ramparts are rather more firmly formed - Finlay Bealham limpets over the top at the breakdown and wins a holding on penalty out of Joe Marchant.
Ollie Lawrence replaces Manu Tuilagi in England’s midfield. Solid but unspectacular from Tuilagi today.
Irealnd 17-3 England, 59 minutes
James Lowe is now exiting for that HIA - and that brings the crowd to their feet given the identiy of his replacement, Keith Earls on to an almighty Aviva roar.
Bundee Aki will have to depart, too. Jack Crowley slips on to rather less fanfare.
Ireland 17-3 England, 59 minutes
Eek! A clash of heads between James Lowe and Bundee Aki halts a promising England attack, both tacklers going low and thus finding themselves in the same space. Both are back on their feet quickly enough, pleasingly - and don’t seem to be departing for a head injury assessment, slightly strangely.
England have a penalty to go back to near the left touchline, 25 metres out.
Ireland 17-3 England, 57 minutes
Three reds in three consecutive games against Ireland for England now. A couple of Harlequins arrive, Joe Marler and Danny Care replacing Ellis Genge and Ben Youngs; Ireland have brought on Joe McCarthy in the second row and Finlay Bealham at tighthead.
Those two new tight five forwards lend their weight to a defensive maul effort that ends with England’s drive skewed over the touchline.
RED CARD! Billy Vunipola is sent off! Ireland 17-3 England, 56 minutes
“High degree of danger, no mitigation” - it’s a sending off and, almost certainly, a ban for Billy Vunipola.
My, oh my. England could really be in a proper, proper state.
TRY! IRELAND 17-3 England (James Lowe try, 55 minutes)
Floated over the top and James Lowe can stroll in!
The relentless pounding of the muscular men up the middle sucks in England’s defence, shorn of a man and shorn of its spirit as the passage continues. Ross Byrne lifts to the left wing, allowing Lowe the simplest of finishes having safely secured his fly half’s pass.
Byrne hits the left upright from the tee...and there’s a decision due on Vunipola’s card.
Ireland 12-3 England, 54 minutes
With Vunipola the only true number eight in England’s World Cup squad, that could be (another) disaster for Steve Borthwick.
It’s not great for their prospects today, either. Ireland build momentum inside the 22.
YELLOW CARD! Billy Vunipola is sent to the sin bin with the incident on review (Ireland 12-3 England, 52 minutes)
Here we go again. A shoulder to the head from Billy Vunipola, who’ll be off for ten minutes at least - and that could well be more.
It’s on review. There’s a slight dip from Porter but that looks like it will probably be upgraded to red...
Ireland 12-3 England, 52 minutes
A bright first couple of involvements from Ollie Chessum, firing out of the line to make a firm tackle and then crabbing across to cover as Cian Prendergast tries to stride into space.
In fact, it’s an excellent defensive set all round from England. Courtney Lawes capitalises for a turnover penalty.
Hang on, though - is there head contact in Vunipola’s challenge on Andrew Porter?
Ireland 12-3 England, 50 minutes
James Lowe’s kick scuds over the Aviva Stadium surface, forcing Ben Youngs to shoo the chickens back towards his own 22 and eventually gather. Ireland’s chasers had been on their heels, so there is plenty of time for England to restart the kicking exchange, which ends up in a draw with Ireland’s lineout on halfway.
Welcome news for England - for the first time since the Six Nations, Ollie Chessum is back in action, the lock over his ankle injury and replacing David Ribbans.
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