"Last chance blown" - Billy Vunipola's possible replacement already decided

His red card means that if he now gets a subsequent ban, as expected, he could be a doubt for at least some of the Rugby World Cup

Being only the only recognised number 8 in the squad, Borthwick still has a week to change his squad before World Rugby's official deadline.

Stand-in captain Courtney Lawes dressed the decision post-match when speaking to Prime Video.

He said: "Split-second decisions, things happen, people want to get us on the front foot and unfortunately mistakes like that happen," he told Prime Video in a post-match interview.

"People aren't doing this on purpose, it's not we need to just tackle lower," he continued. "What more can you do? We're not trying to hurt each other as I say, split-second decisions, sometimes mistakes happen.

"We've got to try and make the sport safe for everyone who plays and that's why sanctions like this are put into place and we got a red card for it."

Alex Dombrandt will be the next player called up if Billy Vunipola is handed a lengthy ban.

Below, we look at four changes Borthwick should make for England’s final home match against Fiji ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

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?

Telegraph 3/10: "Ran the show at a pedestrian pace. Showed positive intent with a flurry of box kicks but those outside him weren’t singing from the same song sheet. Produced a horror pass to Ford’s shoelaces."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Back in pole position at scrum-half after Jack van Poortvliet’s campaign-ending injury, he unleashed a neck stiffening flurry of slow and deliberate box kicks. Trouble was, nothing came back on the English side and he was also given a hurry up on occasion by the time keeping referee. Hooked with 23 minutes to go."

REPLACEMENT: Give Alex Mitchell a go.

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Caught napping along with George for the gaping hole that Peter O’Mahony galloped through to set up Bunkee Aki for the game’s opening try, and there were other ropey first half moments such as demoralizingly getting driven back on a carry near the Irish line and then giving up a scrum penalty. Exited five minutes into the second half."

Telegraph 4/10: "Was probably at fault for Aki’s try, didn’t come across his man quicker, allowing Van der Flier to open up England’s defence."

REPLACEMENT: Kyle Sinckler was immense off the bench

Telegraph 3/10: "Looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him after missing touch from a penalty. Was he to blame for Ringrose’s try? Roamed off his wing, inviting Mack Hansen to send a crisp cross-field kick."

Replacement: Let Henry Arundell go toe-to-toe with the Fijians