England clinched third place in the Rugby World Cup with a 26-23 victory over Argentina in a pulsating, stop-and-go match at Stade de France.
Owen Farrell’s penalties and a clever pass from Marcus Smith set up Ben Earl’s opening try, which Farrell converted. The teams exchanged penalty goals, but Argentina scored a close-range try through Tomas Cubelli just before halftime, with Emiliano Boffelli converting.
Santiago Carreras put Argentina in the lead early in the second half, but England quickly responded with Theo Dan’s try. Owen Farrell’s impeccable kicking sealed the win.
Questions now loom over several players’ futures as they prepare for the 2024 Six Nations.
#1. Henry Arundell
Rugby Dump 2/10: “First touch he gave away a penalty after 48 minutes, poor lad. Second touch was a kick to nowhere. Could have been given a 10 rating if he got the ball, we’ll never know.”
Telegraph 3/10: “What a waste of talent. From five tries against Chile to not touching the ball until 50 minutes when he miscued a kick and gave away a penalty.”
Mail Online 4/10: “At last given a chance to start. You wanted to see him in possession but, frustratingly, it just didn’t happen. Not all his fault but needs to look for the ball more. Didn’t receive a pass from a team-mate.”
Planet Rugby 4/10: “I mean, what was the point of him being there? England just didn’t give him the ball as he spent his evening chasing kicks. Such a shame “
Rugby Pass 2/10: “Took 48 minutes to touch the ball only for his scuffed kick to tempt Will Stuart offside despite Arundell making his catch. His only other note was getting flat-footed around halfway at the start of the move that led to the first-half Argentina try.”