England player ratings vs Argentina: Third-place play-off

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England claimed third place at the Rugby World Cup for the first time after an entertaining, if stop-start, 26-23 victory over Argentina at Stade de France.

Either side of two Owen Farrell penalties, a lovely delayed pass by Marcus Smith put Ben Earl through a gap to score the opening try on nine minutes, which Farrell converted.

The teams exchanged penalty goals before Argentina finally got a proper foothold in the game three minutes before half-time, scrum-half Tomas Cubelli diving over the tryline from close range after Los Pumas stretched the England defence on both wings. Emiliano Boffelli converted.

Santiago Carreras's brilliant solo effort put Argentina in front early in the second half but England hit back straight away, Theo Dan gathering his charge-down of Carreras's kick to score England's second try. This left Farrell, who was booed throughout despite a perfect display from the tee, to see his team home.

Scroll down to the England player ratings vs Argentina: 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Most points: Owen Farrell - 16

Metres: Ben Earl - 52

Defenders beaten: Ben Earl - 4

Tackles: Sam Underhill - 19

Clean breaks: Ben Earl - 2

Tackles missed: Marcus Smith - 5

Turnovers won: Sam Underhill - 2

1 Ellis Genge - 7

Made some massive shots out of the defencive line, as he planted the Pumas on their backs. No arguments at the scrum-time despite getting a talking to from the referee.

Genge won a huge scrum penalty at 17 minutes, as he folded Gomez Kodela on the drive. Worked well with Underhill as they double-tackled Rubiolo. Missed a tackle on Santiago Carreras’ try, as the Gloucester man skipped past a few tackle attempts. (Bevan Rodd, 50')

2 Theo Dan - 7

Started off his match with a big carry, with an added fire in the leg drive. Made a key tackle on the third minute, which caused the Pumas to spill the ball. Steeped up to what was a real test in the front row against Julian Montoya, and maintained the line-out well for the most part. Missed a tackle with Ellis Genge, in the build up to Carreras' try, and instantly redeemed himself by charging down the Gloucester man's clearance kick before scoring a try. Instantly made ammends for a strong effort. (Jamie George, 53')

3 Will Stuart - 6

Bruising carries early in the match, as Borthwick's third-choice tight-head for the World Cup stepped up for his shot to start. Made some crunching tackles on the Pumas, but gave away a penalty at 14 minutes for flying off his feet in the ruck. Huge effort for a first half turnover on Gallo at the scrum. (Dan Cole, 50')

4 Maro Itoje - 7

Disrupted the line-out well throughout the match, and was flawless when in flight on England ball. Linked up telepathically with his Saracens teammates, regardless of it being Theo Dan or Jamie George throwing in the ball. Great high ball takes off the re-starts.

5 Ollie Chessum - 6.5

Eager to work in defence, and fought tooth and nail for every inch of grass that he could make. Didn't have as much of a starring role that he has done in previous matches, but had a driven attitude to make his presence known at the breakdown. Lost the ball in flight, as his wavelength was less in tune with Theo Dan than Itoje was. (David Ribbans, 69').

6 Tom Curry - 6

Started off the match with a turnover at the breakdown, as the Sale Sharks man made sure that all focus was now on his on-field performance. Battled well on his 50th England cap, with the 'Under-Curry' back-row partnership working well. Put in a big hit on Kremer, which saw the fearsome back-row spill the ball. (Lewis Ludlam, 50').

7 Sam Underhill - 9

Was phenomenal today, and made good on his late call-up to the England squad. Jack Willis' injury opened the door for Underhill's involvement, which he began with a monstrous carry over the gain-line. 24 tackles was an unbelievable effort around the park, in his first match for England since the 2022 Summer Tour of Australia. An awesome performance from Underhill, he smashed the Pumas from pillar to post, and was a workhorse over the breakdown.

8 Ben Earl - 8

Made a great line break for England's opening try of the match, as he exploded onto Smith's pop pass. Earl has made the most minutes out of any of the England players this World Cup, and once again had a stand-out showing. A big 52 minute turnover curtailed Argentine momentum, and Earl made strong metres when claiming the ball from kick off.

9 Ben Youngs - 7

Rolled back the years with his first start with Farrell since against Scotland in 2021. England’s first scrum was hooked too quickly for him, as he was slow to react and sent a wayward pass to Farrell. Sent his trademark box kicks high and far, which tested the Pumas under the lights. Good chop tackles as Argentina carried hard. (Danny Care, 50')

10 Owen Farrell (c) - 7.5

Received resounding boos as he lined-up his kicks off the tee, yet was not deterred with accurate shots at goal. Started off England’s points scoring after just two minutes, with his eyes set on finishing the RWC as the top points scorer.

Once again back in discussion with the referee, but accepted England’s punishments far better than his back-chat from last week. Put under immediate pressure from Los Pumas, as he lined up a drop goal. Lost a collision, with Argentina taking the forward momentum across the try-line for Cubelli’s try. Got chopsy with Argentine players after England conceded the first half try. His 64th minute penalty ended his RWC journey as the top points scorer.

11 Henry Arundell - 5

A slow first half by his standards, as his name was rarely mentioned. Chased up on the kicks, yet missed his man on a few too many occasions. Turned his back on Juan Cruz Mallia, with the fullback able to slip by him in the build-up to Cubelli’s first half try. Was rarely seen off his touch-line, and had a slow involvement before being withdrawn. Did not make many mistakes, just was not utilised by England. (Ollie Lawrence, 65').

12 Manu Tuilagi - 6.5

Started off his match with a massive carry at six minutes, and chased up on Farrell’s spiral bombs when England retained a free kick. Good chasing off his line, and made big hits on the Pumas ball carriers. Tuilagi was hit hard in a collision at 52 minutes, and the Sale man was then substituted off for a re-shuffled back-line. (George Ford 55').

13 Joe Marchant - 7

Had a good run-out in what could be his last England match, as Marchant departs Harlequins for Stade Francais for the 2023/24 season. Made a nice carry on the 19^th minute, to clear the pressure from his try-line. Fought hard t gather loose ball, as he and Tuilagi chased down Farrell’s kicks into the back-field. Keen to fight with the ball-in-hand, and adopted well when pushed out to the wing on Lawrence's introduction.

14 Freddie Steward - 6

Adapted well to his less favoured right wing position, and brought his excellent kicking skills to the number 14 jersey. Beaten on the outside by a dubiously ‘flat’ pass, as Argentina scored at the cusp of half-time. Sent good kicks down into the back-field and chased well.

15 Marcus Smith - 6.5

Started off at fullback once again, with his positional rival Freddie Steward pushed out to the right wing. Sent a nice pass to Ben Earl, as the number eight crashed up for the opening England try. Came off worse in an aerial clash with Emilliano Boffelli, and was seen limping in the back-field. Yet he shook it off, and delivered some nice clearance kicks and skipped past defenders. Took a stinger after Matteo Carreras collided into Smith at pace, sending him tumbling backwards.

16 Jamie George - 6.5

On with some clear messages, as he gathered his side around him. Strong first line-out to find Itoje, and out-witted Creevy in the scrum. Was hurt in a 77th minute scrum, with his immense tournament contribution catching up with him.

17 Bevan Rodd - 6

Seconds after jogging on in a pristine white England kit, Bevan Rodd was caked in mud. Flying into hits from his involvement, Rodd lifted the tempo in the tiring front row. Won a scrum penalty against Bello at 63 minutes, which received a classic England celebration.

18 Dan Cole - 6.5

Like Rodd, Cole was straight involved but had a better contribution at the breakdown than aroudn the loose of the park. Busted up after a 65th minute collision tore his ear, which generated an 'old-school' looking image on England's veteran prop. A good shift to see England to the bronze medals.

19 David Ribbans - 5.5

On to partner up with Itoje, having been a relatively unused reinforcement for the majority of the Rugby World Cup. Quick to get involved with chop tackles on the heavy Argentine carriers. Ribbans will be hoping for more game-time throughout the Six Nations.

20 Lewis Ludlam - 6

Great to see him back, as he will want to throw his hat in the ring to be England's starting blindside flanker following the international retirement to Courtney Lawes. Offered heavy hits that lifted the latter stage tempo, but knocked on a carry due to poor communication with George Ford. A great defensive effort at 71 minutes, as he listened intently for Nic Berry's call, before nailing the Pumas scrum half of the back of a maul.

21 Danny Care - 6

Took over from the internationally retired Ben Youngs, with some like-for-like box kicks. Took the ball high to the Argentine line, and shipped it off at the last moment in a style akin to Harlequins teammate Marcus Smith. Nice carrying option, unafraid to go it alone when there was nothing on against the towering Argentina forwards.

22 George Ford - 6.5

Not given an inch of space by the Argentine defenders, who are now all too familiar with his talented efforts at the drop goal. Introduced for an injured Tuilagi, which re-shuffled the back-line and sent Farrell to inside centre. Fended by Nicholas Sanchez in a tackle attempt, but was brave to collide with a rattling Matteo Carreras, who hit top speed along the touch-line.

23 Ollie Lawrence - 5

On for an underwhelming Henry Arundell, with his added physicality matching up well to Los Pumas. Knocked on his first attempt at a crash ball, and then tapped a ball forward in a tackle attempt. Gave away a 74th minute penalty over the breakdown, and was beaten out wide by Matteo Carreras on his way to collide with Ford.

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