England v Argentina LIVE: Result and reaction as England win Rugby World Cup 2023 third place play-off
England 26-23 Argentina: Tries from Ben Earl and Theo Dan help England finish third at the Rugby World Cup
England held off a spirited Argentina 26-23 at the Stade de France to take third place at the Rugby World Cup for a measure of consolation after the disappointment of their narrow semi-final defeat last week.
The boot of Owen Farrell proved the difference as both sides scored two tries apiece but the England captain was unerringly accurate as he put over four penalties and two conversions, for a tally of 16 points, to ensure his team edged a largely pointless exercise.
England looked to put behind them the disappointment of their 16-15 loss to South Africa in last Saturday’s semi in Paris as they raced into a 13-point lead and were 16-10 ahead at half-time but they allowed Argentina to close the gap to three points in an error-strewn second half.
It was the first time England had taken the bronze medal at the World Cup after winning the 2003 tournament and finishing runners-up on three other occasions.
Relive all the action from the bronze final below plus get all the latest odds and tips from the Rugby World Cup here:
TRY! England 10-0 Argentina (Ben Earl, 7 mins)
England still opting for the kick-heavy strategy they employed against South Africa. A couple of phases before a grubber slid through to test the Pumas.
They win a lineout on the 22 and set up a maul. It’s initially well defended and now the men in white will run some ball.
And they score! Initially kept tight but when the ball is spread left, a lovely running line by Ben Earl off a gorgeously-timed pass by Marcus Smith to charge through the gap and power over for his first England try. What a start!
Farrell adds the extras and it’s 10-0
England 3-0 Argentina, 5 mins
A knock-on in contact from Argentina on halfway as a little inside pass couldn’t be handled by Pedro Rubiolo after a decent defensive set from England. We’ll get our first scrum of the day.
England were splintered by the Springboks at scrum-time towars the end of the semi-final but this is solid enough. Although the pass to Farrell out the back from Ben Youngs hits the deck before the fly half recovers to boot deep into Argentine territory.
PENALTY! England 3-0 Argentina (Farrell, 3 mins)
A perfect start for England, not dissimilar to the semi-final. Owen Farrell is accurate from distance with the kick and it’s a 3-0 lead.
England 0-0 Argentina, 2 mins
An early exchange of kicks before Argentina call mark and boot deep to Farrell - who is still getting jeered every time he touches the ball.
After some kick tennis, England get the penalty call at the breakdown and will go for a shot at the posts from 40 metres or so
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Argentina, 1 min
And we’re off! Owen Farrell boots the ball into the Parisian night sky. Who will come third at this World Cup?
England vs Argentina
Kick-off is imminent. Fair play to the fans, the Stade de France is more or less full, even though this match is a largely pointless exercise. Hopefully it’s an open, exciting game.
National anthems
The teams are out on the pitch and it’s time for the anthems. A long intro to the Argentine anthem before it’s belted out by the players.
And then God Save the King is fine. It’s never going to be a top-tier anthem, let’s face it.
England vs Argentina teams - Owen Farrell jeered
The teams have just been announced here at the Stade de France and Owen Farrell got heavily jeered when his name was read out, presumably by the French fans in attendance.
Nothing like the jeering received by Eddie Jones during Australia games or referee Ben O’Keeffe ahead of the Argentina vs All Blacks semi-final, but still...
Here’s a reminder of how the teams line up.
England XV: 15. Marcus Smith, 14. Freddie Steward, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Henry Arundell, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements: 16. Jamie George, 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. Dan Cole, 19. David Ribbans, 20. Lewis Ludlam, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Ollie Lawrence
Argentina XV: 15. Juan Cruz Mallia, 14. Emiliano Boffelli, 13. Lucio Cinti, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11. Mateo Carreras, 10. Santiago Carreras. 9. Tomas Cubelli; 1. Thomas Gallo, 2. Julian Montoya, 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Pedro Rubiolo, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Facundo Isa
Replacements: 16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Joel Sclavi, 18. Eduardo Bello, 19. Matias Alemanno, 20. Rodrigo Bruni, 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22. Nicolas Sanchez, 23. Matias Moroni
England vs Argentina referee: Who is Rugby World Cup bronze final official Nic Berry?
Nic Berry has been named as the referee for the bronze final between England and Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian:
England vs Argentina referee: Who is Rugby World Cup bronze final official Nic Berry?
Australia Berry will officiate the penultimate game of the tournament on Friday evening
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