Billy Vunipola to miss England Rugby World Cup opener after red card

 

Due to his red card against Ireland, England's number eight Billy Vunipola will miss their World Cup opener against Argentina.

For a high challenge on Ireland's Andrew Porter on Saturday, which was later escalated to a red card, he received a yellow card.

The three-game suspension for Vunipola may be lowered to two if he successfully completes the World Rugby tackling teaching course.

This Saturday's exhibition game between England and Fiji is the last one.

On September 8, the World Cup in France will get underway, and on September 9, England will play Argentina.

The three-game suspension for Vunipola may be lowered to two if he successfully completes the World Rugby tackling teaching course.

This Saturday's exhibition game between England and Fiji is the last one.

On September 8, the World Cup in France will get underway, and on September 9, England will play Argentina.

The opening two pool games for England will also be played without captain Owen Farrell since World Rugby was successful in their appeal of the decision to reverse his red card in the victory over Wales on August 12.

Tackle school, which is officially known as the coaching intervention programme, is designed to change the specific methods and technical problems that result in unlawful impacts. Each player is permitted to take it once throughout their career.

At a hearing via videoVunipola acknowledged that his shoulder-led tackle that struck Porter in the head was a red card infraction at a video hearing on Tuesday, which resulted in an automatic six-game penalty.

His spotless prior record, his prompt regret and repentance, and the lack of aggravating circumstances were seen as mitigating considerations during the hearing, which reduced the term.

Only Vunipola, a specialist number eight, was chosen among the 33 players that made up England's World Cup roster. Given that Tom Curry is still dealing with an ankle ailment, coach Steve Borthwick will need to utilise the Fiji game to evaluate alternatives. Ben Earl is anticipated to take the place of the Saracens forward.

The verdict against Vunipola marks the first time in rugby's new "bunker" review system that England has had a player dismissed for a high tackle.