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.

Vunipola is set to miss England's final warm-up game against Fiji, as well as their opening matches against Argentina and Japan. However, the likelihood is he'll be available for the latter.

Vunipola was yellow carded in the dismal defeat to Ireland on Saturday, following a shoulder-to-head challenge on prop Andrew Porter. That was then upgraded to a red card via the off-field TMO bunker.

Six Nations, the organisers of the home nations' World Cup warm-up fixtures, later confirmed that Vunipola would face a hearing to decide what happens next.

England coach Steve Borthwick now has some thinking to do ahead of the Argentina match, with Vunipola the only specialist No. 8 named in his 33-man squad for the upcoming tournament.

He is the second England star to receive a ban this week. Team-mate Owen Farrell was handed a four-game ban on Monday.