‘Utterly stupid’ – England’s Billy Vunipola slammed for ‘shameful’ tackle against Ireland

Jared Wright
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England number eight Billy Vunipola after his tackle against Ireland resulted in a sending off

England number eight Billy Vunipola

Fans and pundits have slammed Billy Vunipola and England after the number eight was red-carded for a high tackle on Ireland prop Andrew Porter.

It is the first time Vunipola has been red-carded in a match for club and country and he could now face a ban that will see him miss the Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina.

Referee Paul Williams initially showed the 30-year-old number eight a yellow card with the TMO bunker upgrading his sanction to a red, with England going on to lose the match 29-10.

Following Owen Farrell’s red card last week, also for a dangerous tackle, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was abuzz with Vunipola and the coaching staff coming under fire.

“When will the penny finally drop?”

Guardian’s rugby correspondent Robert Kitson posted: “Billy Vunipola card unsurprisingly upgraded to red. When will the penny finally drop?”

Kitson’s thoughts were universally shared by many onlookers.

“How are players still not getting this? Utterly stupid by Vunipola,” one post read.

Another added: “Lads, if the giant of a man, Courtney Lawes, can tackle safely and low. The rest of you can do it. It’s simple tackle lower, don’t get red-carded. He has 5 inches on Farrell and Vunipola and manages to do it easily.”

Youtuber Andrew Forde, questioned Vunipola’s thought process in making the tackle.

He posted: “I have absolutely no idea what Billy Vunipola’s thought process is here whatsoever. What is he even attempting to do other than shoulder the bloke?”

The England coaches also came under fire, with this being the second sending-off in as many games and the third England-Ireland game where an England player has been red-carded.

“The fact his arm is flapping by his side with NO intent to wrap is shameful. Why oh why do they lead with their shoulders?! Is this coached?” one fan queried.

https://twitter.com/Gemma_Dorling/status/1692964279069126759

Another post read: “It’s England he probably won’t be banned, getting ridiculous now, do they practice this?”

Potential ban

Former England fly-half Andy Goode predicts that Vunipola will likely miss the opening game of the Rugby World Cup, he posted: “Red all day and a 3 week ban for Billy V”

However, sports lawyer Ben Cisneros argued that there might be some mitigation for Vunipola.

“Red card for England’s Billy Vunipola. Will this one be overturned?

“The majority of the force in the tackle appears to go through Porter’s shoulder rather than his head. So, arguably not a high degree of danger.

“There’s a late step from Porter. Arguably mitigation.”

Fellow lawyer, Tim O’Connor disagreed and criticised England’s lack of discipline.

“To lose one starter because of going high to the head with a tucked shoulder, Mr. Borthwick, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two smacks of carelessness,” he wrote.

“This is the third Ireland-England game in a row where England have shipped a red card and fallen apart. This is just wilful lack of discipline. It’s like Krige’s Springboks.”

https://twitter.com/timoconnorbl/status/1692958803392696756?s=20

Clear red

Meanwhile, former Ireland back-rower Stephen Ferris said that the red card was the right decision but called for the referee to make that decision and not just leave it up to the TMO bunker.

“That is as blatant a red card as you will see,” Ferris said on RTE after the game, “It really, really is. He comes up and absolutely steamrolls him (Porter). But it’s a clear red.

“I think the referee needs to take responsibility there and make a decision. You don’t need the bunker referee for every decision. Just make the call.”

One fan wondered if England were the dirtiest team in the game.

“Is there a dirtier team in world rugby, at the moment? All part of Borthwick’s culture clearly, seeing as they won’t own last week’s red. So bad. Good job they’ve got legal to defend the indefensible,” the post read.

Another agreed, writing: “This is just pure thuggishness. No attempt to even disguise it. Only intent is to connect with the shoulder to the head. Shouldn’t be any mitigation for that. 6 games minimum.”

The memes were also coming in, with @johngormley94 getting inspiration from Family Guy.

https://twitter.com/johngormley94/status/1692970026561658975?s=20

The classic Spiderman meme also appeared.

https://twitter.com/johngormley94/status/1692957614630470034

England wrap up their Rugby World Cup warm-up matches next weekend with a clash at Twickenham against Fiji.

READ MORE: Ireland v England: Five takeaways from the Rugby World Cup warm-up as Red Rose plummet to new low

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