England 39-10 Argentina: Eddie Jones’ side qualify for World Cup quarter-finals

England ran in six tries against the 14 men of Argentina to make it three bonus-point wins from three and guarantee themselves a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

With Tomas Lavanini sent off early for an illegal tackle on England captain Owen Farrell, Eddie Jones’ side cut loose and first-half tries from Jonny May, Elliot Daly and Ben Youngs established a 12-point lead.

George Ford, Luke Cowan-Dickie and the returning Jack Nowell added further tries during a more subdued second half in sweltering conditions in the Japanese capital Tokyo.

The defeat puts the Pumas – semi-finalists in two of the past three World Cups – out of the tournament at the group stage for the first time in 16 years.

But England rumble on, building on the displays against Tonga and the USA, and know victory against France in a week’s time will set up a likely quarter-final against Australia.

They were far from flawless once again, yet are exactly where head coach Jones would want them to be three weeks into a campaign that will surely become far more challenging in the coming matches.

Red mist costs Argentina as England cash in

England had not been behind in this tournament but after Matias Moroni ran on to Urdapilleta’s cross-kick and kicked on again, only May’s pace got him to the loose ball first to save the try.

From the subsequent five-metre scrum England were penalised and Urdapilleta landed the three points – yet England struck back moments later.

After an initial counter-attack down the right through Daly and Anthony Watson, they drove off a line-out to within a few metres, and with the Pumas defence committed fly-half Ford went left to May for the winger to accelerate into the corner.

It was a frenetic start, and the decisive incident stemmed from all that passion and energy spilling over.

As Youngs tapped a quick penalty and fed Farrell, Lavanini thumped into him at pace, his left shoulder crashing on to the head of the inside-centre.

Argentina had promised a war, but this was a clear illegal assault under the game’s revised tackling protocols and referee Nigel Owens had no option but to reach for the red card.

Farrell hooked the subsequent long-range penalty, but England began to look for width to work and tire the 14 men.

Daly broke down the left to send May deep into the opposition 22, Manu Tuilagi charged on after the ball was worked right and after a series of forward drives to within half a metre Ford sent it out wide left to Daly again, who juggled the ball before accelerating past Emiliano Boffelli and over the line.

And with the half-time gong having sounded, England showed an impressive ruthlessness once more – Youngs diving over from three metres after his team went through 20 phases.

Only the inaccuracy of Farrell’s place-kicking kept Argentina anywhere close, with all three conversions missed in addition to that penalty to keep England’s lead down to 15-3.

More to follow.

Teams

England: Daly; Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell, May; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Kruis, Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Nowell.

Argentina: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De La Fuente, Carreras; Urdapilleta, Cubelli; Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo, Pagadizabal, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Desio.

Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Mensa, Delguy.

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