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 12-3 England, 40 minutes
And Cian Prendergast safely negotiates George Ford’s stabbed restart to take the first half to a close.
TRY! IRELAND 12-3 England (Garry Ringrose try, 39 minutes)
And Garry Ringrose hugs the right touchline to capitalise for a score!
These are the problems that this outstanding Irish attack can present. James Lowe is all over the place in the movement, keeping things ticking with intelligent injections of linking hands, and it’s his wing colleague who provides the kick assist, Mack Hansen lurking at second receiver as Ross Byrne pulls back.
Hansen’s presence infield is compensated for by Ringrose pushing out to the right, the centre hurrying on to Hansen’s lob wedge and jinking inside Freddie Steward for the score.
Ireland 7-3 England, 38 minutes
Brilliant attacking play from Ireland, forwards and backs interlinking superbly and Cian Prendergast bashing into Freddie Steward ten metres short...
Ireland 7-3 England, 37 minutes
Stability at scrum time for Ireland, and then a penalty, too, as Tadhg Furlong starts to put the pressure on and Ellis Genge turns in. A sustained effort from the Irish tight five, which doesn’t appear to have done Dan Sheehan much good - the hooker was already nursing a lower leg issue and is grimacing again as Ross Byrne punts towards the 22.
Yep, Sheehan is done - that is a real worry for Ireland with Ronan Kelleher yet to play this summer with his own injury issue. Let’s hope it is only precautionary. Rob Herring on.
Ireland 7-3 England, 36 minutes
Oh dear. That’s bad from England: Elliot Daly misses touch trying to find the corner with the angle favouring his left boot, and then Billy Vunipola shells a sitter as a kick lands in his hands in the backfield.
Ireland 7-3 England, 34 minutes
England are managing to cause consistent probelms at the lineout, just as they did against Wales seven days ago. Maro Itoje’s attempted tap back tumbles into touch, though, and Dan Sheehan hits his man at the second attempt.
Bundee Aki biffs back George Ford but Ireland make a mess of things on the left, Ross Byrne’s pull-back a half-beat ahead of Mack Hansen’s arc, and Ireland infringe as they try to clean up.
Ireland 7-3 England, 33 minutes
And back Ireland will come for that penalty as James Lowe’s rather less effective right boot is hurriedly employed. Ross Byrne kicks down into England’s half.
Ireland 7-3 England, 32 minutes
Irish eyes turn upwards again as George Ford once more launches for the heavens, Mack Hansen out-jumping Elliot Daly to gather.
Into a bit of kick ping-pong, which ends with Billy Vunipola offside and Ireland attacking with the advantage.
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