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 7-3 England, 16 minutes
Ireland sweep to the left in their next possession, James Lowe appearing to take a blow to the nose as he tries to surge between Anthony Watson and Joe Marchant. England are then offside in midfield.
Ireland 7-3 England, 15 minutes
Ireland play blind, Jamison Gibson-Park flicking to Mack Hansen, who chips ahead over a leaping Elliot Daly. Freddie Steward is across to cover but is not required, the ball taking a hop into touch just inside England’s 22.
Ireland 7-3 England, 13 minutes
England close the gap as Ireland try to throw a lineout, giving us our first look at a scrum-time skirmish. It’s unsteady to start, with Paul Williams requesting both front rows stand up again for some more instructions.
Back down they go, Tadhg Furlong and Ellis Genge bracing for battle on the near side, Andrew Porter and Will Stuart the far. Stuart is over-eager on the engage - a free kick again...and, of course, another scrum.
Here’s that Ireland score:
Ireland 7-3 England, 11 minutes
England immediately get an opportunity from the restart, Cian Prendergast stripped by Maro Itoje. Ellis Genge goes bashing out of a tackle, cannily getting back to his feet when not held.
But that Irish goalline defence is just so, so good. A couple of thumping hits and then the back row go to work, winning a ruck penalty.
TRY! IRELAND 7-3 England (Bundee Aki try, 9 minutes)
Ireland cut England to ribbons!
That all looked rather simple for Ireland, but that’s the threat of their ball-handling forwards at the line. Josh van der Flier takes in the middle of the pod and assesses his options, Tadhg Furlong to his inside and Peter O’Mahony to his right, with Bundee Aki in the boot.
Van der Flier makes the right choice, spotting Will Stuart exposed and slightly too wide in front of O’Mahony. Seven finds six, and O’Mahony eases away from the chasing defence, teeing up a supporting Aki for a run in. Ross Byrne pops over the extra two.
Ireland 0-3 England, 7 minutes
Pilfered! Ireland begin to threaten with Dan Sheehan charging around the corner but the ball pops free into George Ford’s hands. Ford thumps up field.
But that’s a magnificent return punt! James Lowe’s left boot really is something, a pleasing thud as he lashes his laces through it to flip the field again. Not quite a 50:22, but not far off.
Ireland 0-3 England, 6 minutes
A mazy run on kick return from Hugo Keenan, beating one and nearly Maro Itoje, too, the lanky lock grateful for the length of his limbs. But the long arms of the Lawes are less effective - the England captain is deemed to have gone off his feet when contesting at a ruck. Ireland kick down into England’s 22.
PENALTY! Ireland 0-3 ENGLAND (George Ford penalty, 5 minutes)
And with Owen Farrell watching on from the stands, George Ford knocks it safely through from the tee. His first points as an international starter in two and a bit years.
Ireland 0-0 England, 4 minutes
Some variation from England, Manu Tuilagi up into Cian Prendergast after Jamie George throws the lineout over the top straight to the onrushing centre. That’s smart, too, Elliot Daly lurking off his wing and attempting to attack Ireland’s guard and bodyguard defenders next to the ruck. Ireland handle Daly appropriately but then infringe at the breakdown, which should allow George Ford to get the scoring started...
Ireland 0-0 England, 3 minutes
Some nifty handling in midfield allows England to again work to that left edge of the Irish defence, but Anthony Watson is felled. The visitors then narrow, forcing George Ford to hoist something skyward, which Mack Hansen is safely beneath and marks.
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