Vunipola has been ruled out of England’s World Cup opener against Argentina

XV De La Rose No 8 Billy Vunipola will not play in England’s opening match against Argentina at the Rugby World Cup. It follows his three-match ban after his red card against Ireland last weekend. A suspension was reduced to two games due to the Training Intervention Program protocol, which would have allowed him to play against Japan.

As a reminder, England have already lost their captain Owen Farrell in the first two matches of the World Cup in France. The fly-half was suspended for four matches on Tuesday after picking up a red card against Wales earlier this month.

Specialist Vunipola is the only 8th player selected in England’s 33-man World Cup squad, and manager Steve Borthwick will have to find a replacement for the weekend’s friendly against Fiji.

Borthwick is expected to choose between the recently injured Ben Earl and Tom Curry to take the number eight jersey in Vunipola’s absence.

Vunibola, 30, was sent off in Saturday’s 29-10 defeat in Dublin for an armless tackle which resulted in his shoulder making contact with prop Andrew Porter’s head. Like Farrell, he initially received a yellow card that was changed to a red by the recently implemented bunker review system.

But unlike Farrell, Vunipola admitted that he committed foul play that merited a six-week suspended red card under World Rugby rules.

According to a report by Six Nations Rugby, the independent judicial panel reduced Vunipola’s suspension to three weeks due to reasons including his exemplary behaviour, prompt apology and remorse.