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.
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
Alex Mitchell ready to continue World Cup rollercoaster ride in England’s opener
Alex Mitchell is ready to continue riding his World Cup rollercoaster after being entrusted with the scrum-half duties for England’s critical opener against Argentina.
Mitchell starts Saturday’s showdown at the Stade Velodrome despite being overlooked for Steve Borthwick’s 41-man training squad named in late June, an omission that enabled him to take a week’s holiday in Hvar in Croatia.
But the stars aligned for England’s most dangerous running nine when Jack van Poortvliet went down with a tournament-ending ankle injury against Wales at Twickenham last month.
Alex Mitchell ready to continue World Cup rollercoaster ride in England’s opener
Mitchell starts Saturday’s showdown at the Stade Velodrome despite being overlooked for Steve Borthwick’s 41-man training squad named in late June.
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.
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.
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
The Rugby World Cup starts on September 8 when host nation France take on New Zealand, in a match set to kick-start a thrilling competition.
An unbalanced draw sets up intrigue where sides other than the favourites of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa could go further into the tournament than expected.
Here is a full guide to all the squads taking part in the tournament in France.
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
With the tournament drawing closer, teams have begun announcing their 33-man squads
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
England, beaten finalists four years ago, would appear to have limited hope of a deep tournament run
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