England v Argentina LIVE: Result and reaction from Rugby World Cup 2023 as England win despite red card
England 27-10 Argentina: Tom Curry’s controversial sending off didn’t stop the boot of George Ford inspiring England to victory
England began their Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina in Marseille in the worst possible way as the returning Tom Curry was sent off within the first three minutes of the game.
Argentina converted the penalty to take the early lead but from their Steve Borthwick’s men put on a masterclass in defensive play and kicking ability. George Ford, starting at fly-half in place of the suspended Owen Farrell, edged England in front with a surprise drop goal and never looked back.
The No. 10 scored all 27 of England’s points electing to kick at every available opportunity of which their were many. Argentina made over 13 handling errors with most inside their own half as England’s defensive capabilities - led superbly by Courtney Lawes - continued to frustrate them.
The only try of the night was scored by the Pumas with a minute or so left on the clock but by then they were miles behind and England had secured their first victory of this World Cup.
Relive the reaction from the Stade Veldrome below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips and odds here.
Owen Farrell says high tackle that led to World Cup suspension ‘a mistake’
Owen Farrell admits the tackle that resulted in his suspension for Saturday’s World Cup opener against Argentina was a mistake.
England’s captain is “gutted” to be unavailable for the pivotal Marseille showdown after his dangerous hit on Wales’ Taine Basham last month resulted in a four-match suspension that ends after the Pool D clash with Japan.
Farrell initially had his red card downgraded to a yellow by a disciplinary hearing, only for World Rugby to appeal against the decision, which was upheld.
“Obviously you don’t want to go back too far and I don’t want to be sat here talking about this now. I want to be talking about the weekend,” said Farrell, speaking about the incident for the first time.
“I made a mistake and I got banned for it in the end. I’m not going to sit here and moan about it now. I’m excited for this World Cup to start. I’m excited to see what this team can do and I look forward to being available again.
“I’m gutted not to be playing and I’m gutted not to be available. Especially a big game like this at the weekend. I’ve even always wanted to play at Stade Velodrome, ever since watching the quarter-final in 2007.
“I’m excited for the team now. There’s a real good feeling about the World Cup starting in France now. I’m excited to play my role in that.”
What is the TMO Bunker and how will the foul play process work at the Rugby World Cup?
The 2023 Rugby World Cup will see a revamped foul play process in place, with the introduction of the “TMO bunker” system at the tournament for the first time.
The introduction follows a number of World Rugby trials during the course of the last year, including the Summer Nations Series and Rugby Championship.
The “bunker” system is designed to improve accuracy of decision making and avoid significant disruptions to the flow of games, and has already been utilised in a couple of high profile moments ahead of the World Cup.
What is the TMO Bunker and how will it work at the Rugby World Cup?
The inclusion at the tournament of the foul play review process follows successful trials throughout 2023
Toothless England look to leaders in search of unlikely Rugby World Cup triumph
It is on a wing and a prayer that England will begin their Rugby World Cup. When Eddie Jones picked the youngest side to compete in a World Cup final four years ago in Yokohama, the thought was that the same group would be back again this time around, older, stronger, better, and ready for another title tilt.
The errors since that have left England in this parlous state, where progression from the pool cannot be deemed a certainty, are almost too numerous to catalogue.
Steve Borthwick’s side will begin their tournament without captain Owen Farrell and likely starting number eight Billy Vunipola, both suspended after high tackles. Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson, two presumed backline starters, are absent, too, due to injury. In attack they remain toothless; in defence, porous - and the deep strife in which English rugby finds itself hardly suggests a buoyant rugby public ready to get behind their side.
Toothless England look to leaders in search of unlikely Rugby World Cup triumph
Beaten finalists four years ago would appear to have limited hope of a deep tournament run
We know who we are – Maro Itoje says England ready to unleash true ‘potential’
Maro Itoje insists England are ready to show their true selves when they launch the Rugby World Cup with the toughest assignment of their group campaign against Argentina.
For the first time in the fixture’s 42 years England are underdogs on the basis of an alarming run that has produced five defeats in their last six Tests, including a first ever loss to Fiji.
The Pumas, meanwhile, have been acclaimed by Steve Borthwick as the best team to leave Argentinian shores and November’s 30-29 victory at Twickenham is still vivid in the memory.
We know who we are – Maro Itoje says England ready to unleash true ‘potential’
England are underdogs against first group opponents Argentina on the basis of an alarming run of results.
What is the team news?
England surprisingly selected Alex Mitchell at scrum half for the opening match. Mitchell was not in the original 33-man squad for the tournament, but was called up following an injury to Jack van Poortvliet. The huge call by Steve Borthwick sees the experienced Danny Care start on the bench with Ben Youngs not in the matchday squad.
Winger Jonny May is in a similar situation, having been a late call-up after Anthony Watson’s injury but now starting in the back three, while George Ford is handed the fly-half shirt in the absence of Owen Farrell and Ben Earl fills in at No 8 for the suspended Billy Vunipola, with Tom Curry fit again to take his place at openside flanker.
Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia returns at full back to face England and will be the back-up fly half option as coach Michael Cheika opts for six forwards on the bench. The versatile Mallia is part of a back three with goal-kicker Emiliano Boffelli and Mateo Carreras on the wings and a powerful midfield of Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti, while Santiago Carreras and Gonzalo Bertranou are his preferred half-back pairing.
Confirmed line-ups:
England XV: Freddie Steward, Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Alex Mitchell, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Ben Earl
Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, George Martin, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence
Argentina XV: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo
Replacements: Augustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Matias Moroni
When is England vs Argentina?
England take on Argentina in their first Rugby World Cup match of Pool D on Saturday 9 September at 8pm BST at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
The game will be shown live on ITV1 and streaming platform ITVX website and app, with coverage starting at 6.45pm BST.
England understand consequences of stepping out of line at World Cup – Dan Cole
Dan Cole insists England’s players understand the damaging consequences of stepping out of line while seeking to escape World Cup cabin fever.
Cole will appear in his fourth tournament when he lines up against Argentina in Marseille with his experience giving the Test centurion an insight into striking the right balance between rugby and recreation.
In 2011 that harmony was thrown out of kilter by a series of embarrassing off-field incidents that tarnished England’s reputation and ushered in the reign of Stuart Lancaster, who then set a headmasterly tone in 2015.
Four years later in Japan, the right note was struck as a purposeful squad reached the final before falling to South Africa.
A regular sight at England’s camp in Le Touquet is players riding bikes, spending time on the beach, strolling through town or eating dinner in local restaurants – a level of freedom Cole insists is not taken lightly.
England understand consequences of stepping out of line at World Cup – Dan Cole
Cole will appear in his fourth tournament when he lines up against Argentina in Marseille on Saturday.
England vs Argentina talking points
Pumas on the prowl
Argentina’s scrum may not be the force of old, but the Pumas have evolved their overall game significantly. Their appetite for forward combat remains undiminished, but is now led by the back row rather than front row and their breakdown work has improved as a result.
The three-quarters possess genuine X-factor with the likes of wings Mateo Carreras and Emiliano Boffelli and they are a cohesive team who will fight until the final minute, playing with a sense of purpose grounded in their fierce national pride.
There is much to admire about a team that stormed Twickenham in November and is capable of progressing deeper into the tournament.
England vs Argentina talking points
Curry reinforces England
It is a reflection of Tom Curry’s influence on England that he has been propelled straight into the back row despite missing the entire build-up campaign because of damaged ankle ligaments.
The squad’s fittest player, his conditioning is never in question and he has experience of making a successful immediate return from injury lay-offs.
Regarded as the team’s defensive kingpin, he will provide physical intent and add to England’s breakdown potency in his first appearance since Borthwick replaced Eddie Jones in December. A lot of hopes are being pinned on his return.
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation’s chances ahead of the tournament
The Rugby World Cup is almost upon us with the 20 competing teams descending on France ahead of the start of the tournament.
On the final weekend of a busy month of warm-up action, France and South Africa showcased their credentials as contenders with thrashings of Australia and New Zealand respectively, but England sunk further into the mire with a first-ever defeat to Fiji.
A lopsided draw sees the world’s top five nations in the men’s rankings all in one half of the draw, opening up a route to the semi-finals for two sides from Pool C and Pool D.
And with a number of nations outside of the traditional rugby powers developing quickly, it could yet be the most unpredictable and exciting tournament yet. Here, The Independent assesses how every nation stacks up ahead of the World Cup.
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation’s chances ahead of the tournament
Ireland, France, South Africa and New Zealand shape as the tournament favourites – but how far down our rankings are England and Wales after a difficult 2023 so far?
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