5 Things We Learned: England 26-23 Argentina - Rugby World Cup Bronze Medal Match

England started off the match with a real fire, and were over to score through Ben Earl after just seven minutes. The sharpshooting of Owen Farrell established a comfortable points tally, but Los Pumas would not lie down, and battled back to narrow the deficit ahead of the break. A first half try from Tomas Cubelli came with the asterisk of a dubious forward pass, with Farrell left irate after the try was awarded.

Argentina ignited the second half, with Gloucester halfback Santiago Carreras breaking through the line. Ellis Genge and Theo Dan missed their tackle attempts, with the young Saracens hooker getting two hands on the elusive runner. Carreras skipped over the line for a 42nd minute try, yet Dan made his amends with an immediate response. The 22-year-old charged down a routine Carreras clearance kick, and grounded the ball over the Argentine try-line just one minute after the re-start.

The match then broke down into a place kicking contest, between Owen Farrell and Argentina's veteran halfback Nicolas Sanchez. However, a key missed shot at the posts by Sanchez gifted England a lifeline, with the match narrowly avoiding extra-time, as England took home the bronze medals from Paris.

Here are five things we learned, from England's 26-23 win over Argentina in the Rugby World Cup Third-Place Play-Off.

12 Years after Ben Youngs began his Rugby World Cup career in an off-the-bench match-winning performance against Argentina, the scrum-half now hangs up his international boots. 127 test match caps saw Youngs end his career as England's most capped men's player, and the Leicester Tigers man had an impressive run-out against Argentina.

Youngs rolled back the years for his halfback partnership, as he made his first start alongside with Farrell since taking on Scotland in the 2021 Six Nations. Youngs took some time to get back to the speed of international rugby, having been watching on from the stands for most of the Rugby World Cup. Youngs was caught off-guard by Theo Dan's rapid hook at the opening scrum, and sent the following distribution along the floor to Farrell. However, he soon found his feet, and utilised his tried and tested box kicks with great effect.

With Youngs retiring from the international circuit, and question marks surrounding the future of 36-year-old Danny Care's time in an England jersey, we will likely enter a power struggle for the number nine shirt. Jack van Poortvliet was set to lead England at the competition, but an untimely injury side-lined the Leicester Tigers man from the tournament. Alex Mitchell stepped up in his absence, and will want to build on his extended run in Borthwick's squad in the 2024 Six Nations and following Summer tour to New Zealand.

A spell of two minutes perfectly summed up Theo Dan's 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign. The 22-year-old missed his tackle on Santiago Carreras, who skipped through the gain-line to score after half-time. However, Dan promptly turned this around, as following Owen Farrell's re-start, Dan chased the kick and charged down Carreras' clearing kick. Dan was fastest to react to the bouncing ball, and grounded to score over the Argentina try-line less than two minutes after conceding.

This short spell reflected Dan's World Cup campaign. Understandably the understudy to Jamie George, Dan made brief cameo appearances in England's opening two matches against Argentina and Japan. Each appearance was for less than 10 minutes, yet Dan made good on his chance when called to start against Chile. Dan scored twice in the one-sided win over Los Condores, yet did not see another minute of match action as an unused replacement for England's matches against Samoa, Fiji and South Africa.

A rollercoaster few moments for an up-and-down tournament for Dan. However, the promising hooker has the clear advantage of youth on his side. He is in the best possible environment to progress, and can continue to learn from his mentor Jamie George back at Saracens. He will likely have to bide his time in the next Rugby World Cup cycle, and could well be starting for England in Australia in 2027.

3. Tom Curry Ends Tiresome Week With Milestone Appearance and 'Under-Curry' Reunion Shines

Tom Curry was unable to leave the spotlight in the build up to this match, as the alleged racist remarks made towards him by South African prop Bongi Mbonambi dominated the headlines. World Rugby's decision was that the accusations had insufficient evidence to warrant any further action, with the Sale Shark ready to turn the attention to his milestone England cap.

Curry did just that, and led out England for his 50th test match at just 24-years-old. The back-rower was shifted to the blindside flank following the international retirement of Courtney Lawes. Curry started off the match strong, with a first minute turnover halting the Pumas in their tracks. It was great to see the fabled 'Under-Curry' partnership back in full force, with late Rugby World Cup addition Sam Underhill running out for an epic contribution on the England open-side flank.

Underhill made a staggering 24 carries and two turnovers, in a stellar performance following his return to the England squad. Underhill joined up with Borthwick's side following an untimely injury to Jack Willis, with the Bronze Medal battle marking Underhill's first England game since the 2022 Summer Tour to Australia. The duo matched up well against the monstrous Kremer, and both ended the match battered and bruised.

There was plenty of excitement ahead of this bronze medal match, as Steve Borthwick named a side which had a clear look to the future amongst the sentimental send-offs. One such name was Henry Arundell, who was selected to start on the left wing, however the former London Irish man had a slow day at the Stade de France. Arundell did not make too many mistakes, because he simply was not utilised by the England side.

His name was rarely mentioned, with England fans left questioning why Arundell did not come in off his touch-line, as he had done so well for the Exiles throughout the 2022/23 Premiership season. Arundell has previously been criticised for his defensive work, and against Argentina he ran out a sound performance, but did not grab the headlines. One mistake did see Arundell turn his back Juan Cruz Mallia, with the fullback able to slip by him in the build-up to Cubelli’s first half try.

Following the financial collapse of London Irish, Arundell will remain in Paris as he has agreed a deal with Racing 92. However, the circumstances regarding his move allow him to remain eligible for future England appearances, with his unmistakable talents expected to return to Twickenham before too long. Arundell would likely have to sign for a Premiership club for the 2024/25 season, with a bidding war likely to ensue for the talented speedster.

England fans have come to grips with the international retirements of Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes, however could more players be set to step down from future run-outs in the red rose? In the post-match analysis, Lawes discussed his retirement and also highlighted Jonny May as an international retiree. The Gloucester winger was an unexpected inclusion in Borthwick's Rugby World Cup plans, following the late injury to Anthony Watson.

May is England's top 'active' try scorer, yet this accolade may soon alter should the winger announce his plans to step away from the international scene. Elsewhere in the squad, there is a lot of discussion regarding the future of England's front row, with the international careers of Dan Cole and Joe Marler left uncertain. Marler was left out of the match-day 23, and previously told an England fan "It's my last one", in relation to an England start at Twickenham, when the fan asked him for his number one jersey.

At 36-years-old, Dan Cole is the oldest member of Steve Borthwick's Rugby World Cup squad, but has not discussed his international retirement in any form. Cole has had an extended run in the World Cup side, and has frequently rivalled Kyle Sinckler to be the starting England tight-head. Also, the aforementioned unknown status on Danny Care poses questions around the future of England's scrum-halves, and even Manu Tuilagi has been reported to step down from any future caps in an England jersey, with his expected last World Cup match coming to an early halt after a 52nd minute injury.