Billy Vunipola to face hearing on Tuesday for red card against Ireland – immediately
Billy Vunipola to face hearing on Tuesday for red card against Ireland – immediately after Owen Farrell – leaving Steve Borthwick with a potential World Cup headache
- Billy Vunipola will face a hearing on Tuesday relating to his red card vs Ireland
- England’s No8 was sent off after a high shoulder on Andrew Porter in the loss
- Steve Borthwick could have gaps to fill with Owen Farrell also having an appeal
Billy Vunipola’s hearing has been scheduled straight after Owen Farrell’s to leave England facing a double dose of disciplinary action on Tuesday.
Skipper Farrell faces an appeal hearing in the morning, in relation to his red card against Wales, while No8 Vunipola will appear in front of a panel in the evening after his red card against Ireland.
Vunipola will face a panel chaired by Scottish KC Roddy Dunlop KC, as well as former Scottish international coach Frank Hadden and former Welsh international Jamie Corsi.
Head Steve Borthwick could be left with gaps to fill in his 33-man squad, although he is able to call up replacements until the deadline of August 30.
England No8 Billy Vunipola will face a hearing on Tuesday – immediately after Owen Farrell – following his red card against Ireland
The double dose of disciplinary action could leave Steve Borthwick with gaps to fill in his squad as the World Cup looms
Tom Willis is the likely first reserve at No 8 if Vunipola is handed a long suspension. The outcome of the hearing is unlikely to be heard until Wednesday morning.
Given his clean disciplinary record, Vunipola is likely to receive a shorter ban than Farrell, following his hit on Ireland prop Andrew Porter.