Ireland names new-look squad for Samoa warm-up game
Ireland have handed a full international debut to hooker Tom Stewart for Saturday’s clash with Samoa as they sweat on the fitness of Dan Sheehan ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Steve Borthwick Sport News
Earl takes over as England No.8 from Vunipola
LONDON : Ben Earl will play at the back of the scrum and George Ford will continue at flyhalf as England size up their options without suspended Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola in their final World Cup warm-up test against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.
England’s Vunipola to miss World Cup opener against Argentina
LONDON :England number eight Billy Vunipola will miss the opening game of the Rugby World Cup against Argentina after he was handed a three-match suspension on Wednesday following a red card against Ireland at the weekend.
Billy Vunipola handed three-match ban, will miss England's Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina
Billy Vunipola has joined Owen Farrell in being banned for the start of the World Cup after receiving a three-week suspension for his red card against Ireland.
Billy Vunipola banned for England's Rugby World Cup opener
England's Billy Vunipola has joined captain Owen Farrell in being banned for the start of next month's Rugby World Cup after receiving a three-week suspension for his red card in a warm-up match against Ireland, officials announced Wednesday.
Billy Vunipola hearing as England No. 8 handed three-week ban ahead of Rugby World Cup
Billy Vunipola has been handed a three-week ban following his red card against Ireland, although he'll have the opportunity to reduce it to two by attending tackle school.
England stars Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola face disciplinary hearings
England’s Rugby World Cup ambitions could be badly dented later today, with two key players facing sanctions that may rule them out of the opening weeks of the tournament. Both Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola are staring at suspensions after being sent off in England’s last two warm-up tests. Vunipola goes before an independent disciplinary hearing over a dangerous tackle against Ireland at the weekend. Any potential sanction could be announced straight after the hearing or on Wednesday, leaving England to sweat over the fate of the only true number eight named in their 33-man squad for the tournament, which kicks off on 8 September. Farrell received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Wales loose forward Taine Basham, which was later upgraded to a red during the match on review. A Six Nations Rugby independent judicial committee reduced it back to a yellow but World Rugby has appealed the surprise decision. It means the England captain faces an independent disciplinary panel for the second time in a week, amid widespread criticism of the initial decision on one hand and condemnation of the coverage of the case on the other. World Rugby’s appeal is also being heard today but again with no date or time given for the announcement of the decision.
Billy Vunipola ban hearing live updates as England No. 8 discovers punishment for World Cup after red card
Billy Vunipola is set to discover whether he will miss the start of England's World Cup campaign later today.