CHRIS FOY: England head coach Steve Borthwick needs his luck to turn

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CHRIS FOY: Steve Borthwick now knows England will kick off the World Cup without his captain and No 8 as Billy Vunipola joins Owen Farrell on the sidelines… the head coach badly needs his luck to turn, starting against Fiji on their Twickenham send off

  • Billy Vunipola’s ban is frustrating for England but there won’t be an uproar 
  • Tom Willis could step in for England and provide explosive power and dynamism 

England will now go into their World Cup opener without their captain and their pre-eminent No 8, after Billy Vunipola joined Owen Farrell in being banned for a high tackle.

At least the process itself was quick and efficient. The giant Saracen was sent off against Ireland last Saturday, appeared in front of a judicial panel on Tuesday evening – via video link from the team base in Surrey – and admitted to committing an offence worthy of a red card. That acceptance of the charge against him prevented another ‘circus’ like the one involving Farrell last week.

The verdict from the independent disciplinary officers was in line with many predictions being made just hours after the incident. The younger Vunipola brother has a clean record and there was no malice in his actions. He made a mistake and has paid for it. The six-week, entry-point sanction was reduced to three weeks, and another week will be removed if he attends so-called ‘tackle school’.

This is a correct application of the existing system. Whether or not the existing system is fit for purpose is another matter. The discretionary powers of panels, allowing them to more than halve sentences which form a disciplinary framework for the sport, cause regular antagonism. Many would agree that an overhaul is required.

However, there will be no uproar in this case. Vunipola does not have ‘previous’ and he has been punished for a misjudgement. Now, Steve Borthwick has to assess the ramifications. It is a complex situation.

Billy Vunipola has been banned for a high tackle but there won’t be an uproar over the decision

England coach Steve Borthwick has to assess the ramifications of a complex situation

Having backed Vunipola to return to the squad and included him as the only specialist No 8 among his chosen 33 for the World Cup, the England head coach will now have to fill that void at the base of the scrum for the tournament opener against Argentina. One of Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam or Ben Earl could be pressed into service at No 8, but it is far from ideal to be taking on a formidable Pumas pack without a specialist in that position.

If Vunipola’s ban had been a couple of weeks longer, Borthwick may have been forced to replace him in the England squad – as he has the right to do, up to the deadline of August 30. Tom Willis is regarded as the next cab off the rank and he could add explosive power and dynamism. Alex Dombrandt will first choice during the Six Nations, but his star waned as England struggled.

This suspension only impacts on one pool game, so Vunipola should earn a selection reprieve, but this stand-down period is a significant setback for him and England. This is a player who needs game-time, to hit his stride and establish thunderous momentum. He has been unable to play himself into anything like prime form yet, so missing two matches now is a real problem.

Borthwick is besieged by interruptions to his meticulous, best-laid plans. A makeshift back row for the fixture which could make or break England’s whole campaign, a No 8 who could be incredibly rusty when he is available again, a replacement captain, a change at fly-half and a misfiring team. How the head coach needs a win on Saturday against Fiji, a heartening performance and no more injuries or disciplinary dramas. His luck needs to change, fast.

Tom Willis is seen as the next option for England and could add explosive power and dynamism

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