England's Borthwick keen for swift end to Vunipola, Farrell red card fall-outs

England coach Steve Borthwick was left hoping for a rapid finish to rugby's often lengthy disciplinary procedures after Billy Vunipola joined Owen Farrell as a Rugby World Cup doubt by being sent off during a 29-10 warm-up loss to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

As happened to Farrell last weekend, Vunipola saw his initial yellow card upgraded to a red by the recently introduced bunker review system.

Vunipola was dismissed for a head-high challenge on Andrew Porter early in the second half at Lansdowne Road.

That offence threatens Vunipola's involvement at a World Cup where he is the only specialist No. 8 in England's squad for a tournament they start against Argentina in Marseille on September 9.

England kicked off without Farrell, the son of Ireland coach Andy Farrell, after Borthwick left the fly-half out of his matchday 23.

Farrell faces an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday after World Rugby appealed against the controversial decision to downgrade his red card for a high shoulder-led challenge on Taine Basham during a 19-17 warm-up win over Wales at Twickenham to yellow.

Borthwick, refusing to be drawn on Vunipola's dismissal, said: "I'm not going to comment upon the incident specifically because it goes into a disciplinary process this coming week.

"Probably as every England fan, I feel disappointment in the game today and I said beforehand we want 15 players on the pitch for 80 minutes of every game.

"You're playing the number one ranked side in the world in their stadium and to go to 14 men it becomes a very difficult task at that point in time."

The former England captain added: "Hopefully we will find a conclusion on both matters this week and it won't go into another week. Once I have all the facts, I will deal