England won their twelfth game in a row when they beat Fiji last week and probably won’t need a lucky thirteen performance to beat Argentina who have been disappointing in their last two matches, and haven’t beaten the Poms away from home in ten years.
The form
England
They were not at their best in their first match against South Africa supplying them with early penalties but as they progressed in the game, the Springboks regressed, and they won, scoring four tries to two.
The Roses were imperious at times last Saturday scoring nine tries to three, but the Fijian tries were scored in a twelve minute period. This blemish was noticeable against the background of sterling defence for the remainder of the match. At least it must have given Eddie Jones a chance to launch a few barbs at the boys afterwards, otherwise he’d be short of topics.
The main talking point about England in November is their All Black-like skills across the team, forwards and backs – and like the Kiwis, the ball carrier is never wanting a supporter, and their running lines are show-stoppers.
Argentina – not impressive against Wales, nor here against Scotland
Argentina
Los Pumas were disappointing losing to Wales and Scotland, neither of whom played like winners. Wales bossed them in the scrums and stopped their off-loading plays with choke tackles; their error count was high and their discipline was poor. Against Scotland some individual players looked talented but team play was wanting and their bench didn’t contribute much.
Team news
England
England trialed a few new starting players against Fiji, but compared to their top team that played the Springboks the week before, there have been some real changes.
Lock Joe Launchbury is suspended for two weeks for dangerous play but they won’t miss a beat with lineout caller, George Kruis, returning just in time from ankle surgery a month ago to replace him. Outside centre Jonathan Joseph starts in the game this time instead being a reserve, and Elliot Daly moves over to the wing, displacing Marland Yarde from the match day squad.
Argentina
Head coach Danield Hourcade has has made some changes reflecting the disappointing play of the team on tour. The major surprise is the dumping of three of his star players: no. 8 Facundo Isa, flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, and scrumhalf Martin Landajo. Leonardo Senatore will play no. 8, Juan Martín Hernández will take over the pivot role, and Tomás Cubelli, from the Brumbies, will wear the 9 jersey.
“El Mago” Juan Martín Hernández takes over at flyhalf
Game plans
England will concentrate on defending well for all 80 minutes and not surrender a cluster of tries as they did against Fiji.
Argentina won’t be kicking the ball out too much because the England lineout has been dominant two games in a row. And they have to get to the right end of the field because they are making too many handling errors to spend much time in their own half.
They should plan to get back to some of their old style and grind benefits out through their forwards; then maybe the mojo of their backline will return to what it was.
Elliot Daly – key player for England
Key players
Elliot Daly has started in only two test matches but he is playing like an old stager already. He was just as adept at playing on the wing last week against Fiji as he was with the 13 jersey against the Boks the week before and I bet he would be a handy fullback as well. He’s a Ben Smith of player who can run mazy lines or make his supports look better than they are, and has a handy left foot kick also.
The Vunipola brothers are playing at their best and looking the fittest I’ve seen them. Always damaging ball runners they have developed their offloading skills in recent times .
Mako Vunipola – looking fit and skillful
Prediction
England have progressed even more since their summer tour of Australia: Jones has enhanced the ensemble play of the team by improving their skills and choosing attacking players. They now have a zeal to attack space that we haven’t seen before this year, and meantime their reserve players are looking more like starters.
Argentina slipped out of the top eight in world rankings after their tepid performances against Wales and Scotland. They will go for broke to get back in it to earn a more favourable draw for the next Rugby World Cup.
But they look like a tired team which has played too much rugby; so I can’t see it happening.
England by 20
Team lists & details
[one_third last=”no”]
England
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley (c)
3. Dan Cole
4. Courtney Lawes
5. George Kruis
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Tom Wood
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Ben Youngs
10. George Ford
11. Elliot Daly
12. Owen Farrell
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Jonny May
15. Mike Brown
Reserves:
16. Jamie George
17. Joe Marler
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Charlie Ewels
20. Teimana Harrison
21. Danny Care
22. Ben Te’o
23. Henry Slade
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Argentina
1. Lucas Noguera
2. Agustin Creevy (c)
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Guido Petti
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Pablo Matera
7. JO Desio
8. Leonardo Senatore
9. Tomás Cubelli
10. Juan Martín Hernández
11. Santiago Cordero
12. SG Iglesias
13. Matias Moroni
14. Matías Orlando
15. Joaquin Tuculet
Reserves:
16. Julian Montoya
17. Santiago García Botta
18. Enrique Pieretto
19. Facundo Isa
20. Tomas Lezana
21. Martin Landajo
22. Jeronimo de la Fuente
23. Juan Pablo Estelles
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Details
Date: Saturday, November 26th
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT, 01:30 AEDT(Sun)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Marius Mitrea (Italy), Ian Davies (Wales)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)[/one_third]
