More bad news for England as Vunipola gets World Cup ban
It goes from bad to worse for England as Vunipola is handed a ban that will affect his Rugby World Cup campaign.
England has had a second player in as many days suspended for their two opening games of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
ALSO READ: Owen Farrell cops Rugby World Cup ban
WHAT DID THE ENGLAND NO 8 DO?
Vunipola, the only specialist eighth-man in England’s Rugby World Cup squad, was red-carded for a dangerous tackle in their warm-up Test, which they lost 29-10, against Ireland in Dublin over the weekend.
Vunipola appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link having for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
The independent Judicial Committee consisting of Roddy Dunlop KC – Chair (Scotland), Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) heard the case, considering all the available evidence and submissions from the player and his representative.
THE PUNISHMENT HANDED DOWN
The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card.
On that basis, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head. This resulted in a starting point of a six week suspension.
Having acknowledged mitigating factors including his exemplary previous record, immediate apology and remorse, and noted the absence of any aggravating factors, the committee reduced the six week entry point by three weeks.
This setback comes a mere day after England skipper, Owen Farrell, suffered the same fate for the same offence.
Vunipola’s suspension applies for the following matches:
Warm-up
England v Fiji 26 August 2023
Rugby World Cup
England v Argentina 9 September 2023
England v Japan 17 September 2023
