Ireland kept up their winning ways with a 29-10 World Cup warm-up victory on Saturday over a hapless England, who look set to lose another player for part of the upcoming tournament after a red card for Billy Vunipola.
For a game overshadowed by the surprise overturning of Owen Farrell’s red card last week, subsequent appeal by World Rugby and England’s decision to omit him on Saturday, an eerily similar tackle by Vunipola will be the main talking point this week.
Even with 15 men, England caused the hosts few problems despite the fact that the Six Nations winners were sloppy in a first half they led 12-3 thanks to two outstanding team tries finished by Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose.
Vunipola’s 52nd-minute red for driving his shoulder into Andrew Porter’s head only added to the lopsided nature of the game as James Lowe, Mack Hansen and to the delight of the home crowd - 100-cap Keith Earls - added tries either side of a Kyle Sinckler consolation for England.
