Sir Clive Woodward has called for England boss Steve Borthwick to make changes to his 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Billy Vunipola could miss the start of the World Cup after being sent off against Ireland – a week after Owen Farrell’s red card against Wales.
His initial yellow card for a shoulder-to-head challenge on Ireland prop Andrew Porter was upgraded to a red by the new bunker review system.
Vunipola and Farrell will now both face disciplinary hearings this week.
“The Vunipola situation is a little different,” wrote Woodward in his latest column for the Mail Online.
“This is where Borthwick must show strength in the face of adversity and step up and lead. As an international head coach, you have to have the courage to make big calls.
“Vunipola is the only specialist No 8 in the squad and is almost certain to be unavailable for the World Cup opener with Argentina. I don’t think England can face the Pumas with a makeshift No 8. Borthwick has to consider making changes and bringing in Alex Dombrandt or Zach Mercer.
“I thought it was right for Borthwick to name his final 33-man World Cup squad early to give the players time to bed in. But the impending suspension to Vunipola changes things”
He continued: “Borthwick can still make alterations to his party before the World Cup.
“Dropping a player or two who he has already told will be going to France would be tough on those individuals. But this is professional sport and there can be no room for sentiment.”
5 England flops DROPPED, and who Borthwick call-up
Outlined below are five players who underperformed against Ireland. Additionally, we assess the potential candidates, based on their merits, who could take their places in the squad.
#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”.”
Evening Standard 3/10: “The difficulty of avoiding high tackles basically does not matter any more. This is the reality and players have to adapt, and fast, or end up letting their teams down.”
REPLACEMENT: Zach Mercer, who should have been in the squad anyway