England’s forward, Billy Vunipola, received a red card while Ireland garnered significant momentum ahead of the World Cup, registering a comfortable victory with five tries.
Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Mack Hansen, and Keith Earls all successfully breached the defense for the top-ranked team in the world.
Vunipola’s expulsion occurred just prior to Ireland’s third try due to a high tackle.
In the absence of their captain Owen Farrell, who was dealing with an ongoing disciplinary situation, England managed to score a lone late try courtesy of Kyle Sinckler.
Below, we look at four changes Borthwick should make for England’s final home match against Fiji ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
#1. Billy Vunipola
Telegraph 2/10: “Spilled a clearance kick, to the delight of Dublin. His head shot on Andrew Porter was inevitably upgraded to a red by the bunker. Another ban looms, as does a crisis at No.8 for Borthwick. “
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Having failed to sparkle seven days earlier, a huge step forward in performance was needed. It didn’t happen, his day ending with a red card via the TMO bunker. Borthwick claims Vunipola is as fit as he has ever seen him but that S&C didn’t emerge in this display where he looked leggy getting around despite being level with Genge at the short whistle on the pack ball-carrying metres. Two penalty concessions and a cheap knock-on that generated jeers from the home crowd highlight his first half difficulties. Sent packing for his yellow-carded shot on Andrew Porter 13 minutes into the second half, an incident soon upgraded to red due to “high degree of danger, no wrap, no mitigation”.”
REPLACEMENT: Who knows with no other recognises number 8’s in the squad. Maybe, Tom Curry?