Disciplinary hearings of Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola set for same day

England number eight Billy Vunipola will find out his Rugby World Cup fate early this week after his hearing was set for Tuesday.

It will take place on the same day as Owen Farrell’s, who was sent off against Wales on Saturday, August 12.

Red Rose captain Farrell initially had his red card downgraded by an independent panel, but World Rugby decided to appeal the verdict on Thursday.

The date for the appeal was confirmed by Six Nations Rugby last week and the governing body have now announced that the number eight’s hearing will also be on Tuesday.

Sent off against Ireland

Like Farrell, Vunipola was immediately yellow carded for his shoulder to the head of Ireland prop Andrew Porter but, following a bunker review, it was upgraded to a red.

If the sending off is upheld, the back-row will likely receive a six-week ban before mitigation is applied.

With his good previous disciplinary record, Vunipola is in line for a reduction to his suspension, which means that he may only miss their first World Cup pool match against Argentina.

Farrell will not be so fortunate given his ban earlier this year and that he has already taken the coaching intervention course.

If World Rugby’s appeal is successful, the fly-half could well miss the whole of the pool stages in the upcoming global tournament.

Backdated suspension?

However, that may depend on whether the verdict is backdated to before the Ireland game, or whether Fiji is the first match it takes in.

Should both Farrell and Vunipola be suspended, that will leave the Red Rose without two key players heading into the World Cup.

They have already lost two of their three warm-ups and have been criticised for their performances throughout Steve Borthwick’s tenure.

England’s only victories since Borthwick took charge have come against Wales (twice) and Italy.

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