Andy Farrell sets new challenge to Ireland as he expects referees to be ‘red hot’ at Rugby World Cup

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has urged his side to be the most disciplined team at the Rugby World Cup as “cards are everywhere” in the game at the moment.

Farrell was speaking after a warm-up clash with England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as the Red Rose had number eight Billy Vunipola shown a red card.

Ireland would go on to win the match 29-10 in Dublin as they continue their impressive preparations for the global tournament, sitting atop the world rankings.

Foul play costing teams

Vunipola’s red card came just one week after Owen Farrell was sent off for England against Wales, with discipline costing Steve Borthwick’s men time and again.

Indeed, foul play is hurting many teams in the sport at the moment and Ireland head coach Farrell feels there are “cards everywhere” and is fully aware of that.

“It’s a red card that somebody will have a look at and make the right decision,” Farrell said of the Vunipola incident when speaking after the clash. “It is what it is.

“We’re seeing more and more of that. It just highlights for us massively that it isn’t just the tackle height, it’s discipline in general.

“There are cards everywhere at the minute, isn’t there?

“And there’s a realisation as well that at the start of a competition, certainly in World Cups, referees are always going to be red-hot on stuff.

“So making sure that we’re the most disciplined side is something that we’re chasing down.”

Ireland were deserved winners in Dublin as tries from Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Mack Hansen and Keith Earls saw them to a comfortable victory.

Injury concern at hooker

However, a foot injury to hooker Dan Sheehan was the only sour note as Farrell was unsure on his fate before he gave an update on fellow hooker Ronan Kelleher.

“Possibly, possibly,” he said when asked if Sheehan’s injury is a worry before backing his options. “Ronan’s going to be fine. The extent of Dan we don’t know.

“We’ve had Diarmuid Barron in camp as well, Tom Stewart’s been going great guns, so we’ll be fine.”

READ MORE: Steve Borthwick calls for swift disciplinary verdict after Billy Vunipola red