Vunipola red-carded as England lose to Ireland 29-10

A disciplinary panel will determine the length of Vunipola's suspension next week but he is in danger of missing the start of the World Cup — just like captain Owen Farrell, who missed the match in Dublin amid his own disciplinary process.

World Rugby has appealed against the decision by a judicial committee to overturn a red card handed to Farrell for his dangerous, no-arms tackle on Wales flanker Taine Basham at Twickenham last week. Vunipola's tackle looked just as reckless.

Potentially missing two of his key players adds to the pre-World Cup woes of England coach Steve Borthwick, whose team was dominated by Ireland two weeks after losing in Wales. There was a home win over Wales in between but even that was hardly encouraging.

Ireland, on the other hand, are heading to the World Cup in strong shape, with Keith Earls' 73rd-minute try on his 100th cap gaining the biggest roar of the evening.

It was one for the highlight reel, too, as the replacement wing took a miss-pass on the left wing and raced to the corner before placing the ball down and doing a flying forward roll at the same time.

Ireland scored five tries in total, with centres Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose going over in the first half which finished 12-3. 

Vunipola's red card meant an Ireland win was inevitable and the hosts took full advantage, adding tries through wingers James Lowe in the 55th and Mack Hansen in the 65th.

Replacement prop Kyle Sinckler burrowed over for England's only try, in the 72nd.

"Clearly when you go to 14 men against Ireland, it becomes very, very difficult. But it was a tight battle for a long period," Borthwick said.

"It had a bit of everything - good, bad and ugly," Ireland coach Andy Farrell said.

Farrell added of his own side's discipline, "it isn't just tackling, it's discipline in general. It's a huge part of the game. 

"We spend a lot of time on it and thankfully we seem to be doing OK in that regard."