Gerard’s report has dropped. So with that I’ll take my leave and begin the long trek home.
Thanks everyone for staying with me. Hope you enjoyed it.
Finally, let’s hear from the Pumas leader, Julian Montoya:
First of all I want to thank all the people from Argentina who were here tonight and throughout the World Cup. We want to inspire a new generation.
We made some mistakes. We need to be better with the things we can control. We scored a try and then conceded from the kick-off. But we fought for every ball and I’m proud of the team.
Now let’s hear from the England skipper, Owen Farrell:
It was tough. Very tough. I thought we started the game really well. We got on the front foot, we were physical. We made some inroads and then it didn’t end up being that game. Argentina played a big part in that. It was scrappy thereafter and we did what we needed to do to get the win.
We want to show that this team fights for every minute if the game. That scrappy game proved that. We wanted to finish off this tournament off right. It was a big chapter in our journey.
The official player of the match went to Sam Underhill, who was everywhere tonight:
It’s a bit surreal. It’s been a great few weeks. I’ve loved being part of this group. It’s an honour to represent your country, to be a part of this group, to send off as many storied England players as we have.
What we did well, we stuck to our game plan. We didn’t panic. We’ve got a lot of lads who have been a part of big games and know that the big moments are the ones that matter. That’s a testament to the lads tonight.
Full-time! England 26-23 Argentina
Argentina give away a penalty and England win the bronze medal play-off!
It was a scrap. It was a battle. It was a typically England versus Argentina match. They’re not the most fluent sides but they have a lot of heart. Given one of Argentina’s tries came as a result of a blatant forward pass this is perhaps a fitting result. Over 77,000 fans turned up to watch and they were (more or less) rewarded for their efforts. It won’t live long in the memory, but hey, two proud outfits represented their countries with honour. Credit to both of them.
Updated
80 mins: It’s messy but England keep the ball. They just have to get to the final hooter and they’ll win it.
79 mins: Argentina go too early and give away a free kick. They’re desperate to get a counter shove on. England opt to pack down again. Seconds remaining.
79 mins: No foul play. England will have the scrum feed. Clean ball and maybe a phase or two and they’ll all leave France with a bronze medal.
78 mins: England’s scrum is secure and Farrell hoofs long. Boffelli fields and counters. He steps one and then another. The ball goes left and into the path of M Carreras who has space and charges straight at Ford. Fair play to Ford. He stood firm. Argentina have it and go left but England smuggle the ball away. Outstanding defence again. They’re going back to make sure that there wasn’t anything illegal in a collision involving Ford. Perhaps an Argentinian ball carry led with a swinging forearm.
77 mins: Argentina have it back after England’s 22 drop out. Sanchez launches a high kick and Boffelli snaffles a stunning grab from the skies. Argentina into England’s half but the white wall is remaining firm. They then go right and there’s space but the move fizzles out as they there’s an accidental offside as it’s knocked forward from a stray foot on the floor.
Sanchez misses!
He pulls it. Oh wow. Will that prove the decisive act of the game with only five minutes to go?
Updated
75 mins: After a break Argentina go left from the scrum. It’s a wraparound from Sanchez who finds Moroni. England look to slow it down but give away a penalty. Nothin’ doin’ from the advantage so they’ve got a decision to make now. In the red zone. Three points takes us level (and heaven forbid, extra time). Creevy doesn’t care about our bed times and points to the poles, asking Sanchez to square it up.
[Eyeball emoji]
It’s forward, isn’t it?
#ARGvENG … ah lads come on #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/x4AvB0yFLX
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) October 27, 2023
74 mins: The scrum wheels and Argentina break down the blind with Bruni. Up to the 22. It goes left down the line. Sanchez with quick hands. England rush up on swift defence and there’s a knock-on in the tackle by the substitute, Lawrence. It was a good read, but he just got the ball before the man. Argentina with the scrum feed between the 22 and halfway.
72 mins: Argentina kick. Then England. Then Argentina and Ford marks. He kicks out to half-way which gives Argentina to chance to maul. It rumbles five metres before it crumbles but Argentina will have the scrum feed after the ball disappears under a heap of bodies.
71 mins: After a short pause, Argentina have the scrum feed in their own half. Nine minutes to go.
William Vignoles is calling on young Henry to get stuck in:
Hi Daniel. Fair to point out that England could do more to get Arundell into the game, but at the same time he isn’t going hunting enough. Penaud, Jordan etc don’t just wait to get the ball, they’re always on the shoulder. Chris Ashton made a pretty good career just doing that for 15 years.
70 mins: Itoje just about wins the line-out. He’s had another top game this evening. Care snipes round the blind just as the maul got rumbling. Steward helps him with a monster clean-out. Earl carries into contact. Ford finds Marchant on the angle but he drops it as he’s tackled. Bruni and Kremer doubling up there.
Penalty! England 26-23 Argentina (Sanchez, 68)
Three point ball game again.
67 mins: Stoic defence from England as Argentina make some pretty shapes in front of them but can’t find a gap. But there’s a man in white who got a little over zealous and shot up a little early, giving the penalty away. Ford the guilty man. Sanchez, the replacement, calls for his tee.
Updated
66 mins: Ford is on the field. For Tuilagi earlier in the piece. His clearance is lifted just over the 22 so Argentina have a chance, which they really need to take, to do something with the ball from a line0out. England are doing that England thing of turning a close game into a dog fight.
Penalty! England 26-20 Argentina (Farrell, 65)
Farrell gets a hammering from the crowd. Loud boos and whistles. He soaks it up and slots the penalty.
Updated
63 mins: England win the scrum penalty and Care goes for a speculative drop-goal with the advantage. It’s well wide. So Farrell will line up the shot from the tee.
61 mins: England are just so one dimensional with ball in hand. They win the line-out and pass through the hands, but the attack merely drifts across the pitch. No spark. Argentina need to chase the game so England deserve some credit for keeping hold of the ball and dominating territory. That is until two players grab for the same ball and there’s a knock-on just outside Argentina’s 22.
60 mins: More kicking! This is not winning over the romantics I can tell you. After several exchanges Marchant has it down the left touch and wriggles past a few tacklers. Care sends it down the line and Chessum carries. Smith runs! Jokes. He grubbers ahead. It’s actually a decent kick as it forces Mallia to pick it up before he’s bundled into touch inside his 22. England with the feed.
57 mins: Arundell - remember him? – catches a tough low kick and then punts it up field. It’s marked by Argentina and it’s back to a kicking contest. England soon have it thanks to their rush defence that forces the mistake as Argentina look to string a few passes together. Then England cough it up in Argentina’s red zone. This is getting pretty sloppy now. Back to halfway and Care, on for Young, feed Farrell who lifts a hopeful high kick.
56 mins: England knock-on a box kick. Marchant couldn’t quite gather what was a poor box kick. Five metres in their own half, Argentina have the scrum feed.
55 mins: Now it’s Argentina’s turn to steal the ball. England kicked their ball away after Itoje won the line-out. Steward won the high ball and it moved back through the hands. But Underhill was isolated as Bruni won the turnover. But the kick doesn’t go out. Ah man! Cheika will be fuming. So Steward can kick it right back into Argentina’s territory.
53 mins: Argentina are into the red zone thanks to neat work from Mallia and Boffelli down the right touch. The ball comes back in field and the forwards get to work. Gonzalez with a strong carry. England are defending well around the fringe but Argentina keep it alive as they get past 13 phases. Oh and England steal it! Well, they win a penalty on the ground at least. Fantastic tenacious D from the men in white. That was Itoje with the big hit followed up by the steal from Earl.
51 mins: A net gain for Argentina as the last kick of several comes from Smith’s right boot and booms out between the half-way and his own 22. Argentina with a nice platform to launch from the line-out. Feels like a deep intake of breath before the final plunge. Ben Youngs leaves the pitch for the last time. What a legend of English rugby.
Updated
Penalty! England 23-20 Argentina (Boffelli, 49)
That is a sweet strike. Boffelli made it look so easy with a lovely swing of his right boot from 45 metres out. Game on here.
Updated
48 mins: Scratch that, it’s an England scrum and they go short with Tuilagi carrying. Argentina go burrowing to steal but can’t so Youngs lifts a high kick. Argentina field and kick it right back. It’s a bit of a howler that doesn’t go anywhere and the chasers are off-side. Poor from England. Boffelli calls for the tee around five metres inside England’s half straight in front.
46 mins: This match has ignited. A load of mistakes has opened it right up. A high kick gives England some problems as Youngs can’t reach it and allows it to bounce. The ball shifts down the blindside and Isa knocks on. We’ll come back for the initial spill from Youngs.
TRY! England 23-17 Argentina (Dan, 44)
Dan strikes back! It was his mistake that allowed Carreras to canter through but fair play to him. He’s charged down a Carreras clearing kick, gathered the bouncing ball and crashed over for a score. That’s how you make amends! Farrell with the simplest conversion takes England back in front.
Updated
TRY! England 16-17 Argentina (Carreras, 44)
A try from nothing for Argentina! At first receiver he stepped off his left foot to straighten the line, brushed past Dan, brushed past Genge and then rounded Smith to score. Boffelli with the extras and Argentina take the lead.
Updated
41 mins: Not a great start for England in the second half. Youngs hoofs a box kick straight out and Argentina have the line-out feed around the 22.
“Evening Dan,”
Hey Andrew Bradshaw.
”Can we just take moment to appreciate that Argentinian change kit please. It’s stunning”
Spot on. The best kit of the competition in my opinion.
Right then. They’re back out and the Argentinian fans are in full voice. 40 minutes left in France for both teams. What have they got?
There’s some contention around the forward pass decision.
“Think you’ve got that forward pass call wrong!!” says Jim Doherty.
Well this is nice from Andrew Moore:
“As far as it is possible watching 15 random blokes play rugby against 15 random blokes, feeling pretty melancholic but weirdly proud tonight. Both sides I think it is fair to say have exceeded expectations, and from an English perspective I can see a side that is playing with intelligence albeit without much flair. Selection tonight suggests that could come in the future. I just want to see England consistently competitive over the next four years with a 6 Nations title or two if I’m greedy. More generally less toxic debate online is much needed, I never see it in person at games.”
Glad you’re enjoying it. It’s clear they’re both trying to win it. But I think it’s also clear that neither side belongs in the final. Not on what we’ve seen tonight at least.
It’s been that sort of England performance. And you were hoping for something different?
Imagine having to write a colour piece on Henry Arundell this evening. Hasn't touched the ball. What a waste.
— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) October 27, 2023
“Is that not a forward pass from Cinti?”
That’s what Nick Oakes wants to know, referencing the build up to Cubelli’s try. The replays suggested it was tight. But I’m confident the right call was made
Half-time: England 16-10 Argentina
That’ll be that. England had two opportunities to do something with the ball from two scrums around Argentina’s red zone but couldn’t make it stick. Smith’s dink over the top is easily marked. Its had its moments, but it hasn’t exactly been a classic.
Updated
39 mins: England had a lot of the ball but didn’t do anything with it. Smith has it, at long last, he just hasn’t had enough of it. He’s in the pocket and shapes to drop goal but instead drops a shoulder and steps into contact. A short pass a little later is knocked on in the tackle by Argentina. England with the scrum towards the left touchline just outside the 22.
37 mins: England will have the scrum feed just outside Argentina’s 22 after Cinti made a real hash of a Steward long kick. Under no pressure, the Puma knocked on as he launched himself in the air.
TRY! England 16-10 Argentina (Cubelli, 36)
What a try! Finally Argentina manage to stitch something cohesive together, and what a move that was. A break from Mallia who sets up Boffelli on the right. It goes down the line and Cinti has it on the left. One more break takes it close and then Cubelli picks up from close range to burrow over. Boffelli adds the extra two and Argentina are in business.
Updated
34 mins: Oh, Argentina come up with a penalty in their own 22. Fantastic work on the ground. Underhill carried well. He’s having a good game but Steward spilled the ball and the clearout from Genge came in from the wrong side. Carreras doesn’t find touch though. Still, after some kick tennis Argentina have the line-out feed around half-way.
32 mins: Steward catches a high kick from Mallia that doesn’t go anywhere near the required distance. Argentina counter ruck near the touch but Carreras the winger loses his feet and England get a penalty which Farrell kicks out around Argentina’s 22.
Penalty! England 16-3 Argentina (Farrell, 29)
England win a soft penalty after a strange passage. It started with a scrum for Argentina and a quick pick up and go from Isa. But England win it back and Farrell sends a pass for Marchant who picks up a tough one with velcro hands. Smith kicks ahead and Mallia one-times a kick back up field. Itoje gathers and is nailed in the tackle but the Argentine, Kremer I think, was off-side. So Farrell slots the three points.
Updated
27 mins: Farrell lifts a high ball that comes down and ends up in Tuilagi’s hands. England have it on the 22. Farrell shapes to go for a drop-goal but instead grubbers. Mallia controls, just about with his legs, and kicks up field. England still get the chance to feed the line-out but Argentina steal it. Gonzalez with a remarkable grab. Argentina definitely clicking now. But a ball carrier is bundled into touch so Dan will have another chance to throw to the set-piece.
26 mins: Argentina think they’ve stolen England’s ball from the line-out, a jumper in navy got up and ripped it back to his side. But Nic Berry has awarded England a free kick. Too many numbers in the line-out for the Pumas. Poor that.
Penalty! England 13-3 Argentina (Boffelli, 24)
Argentina are on the board. That’s a gimme for Boffelli from that range right in front.
Updated
23 mins: Some kick tennis ends with a Argentina line-out inside their own half. England contest but Montoya finds his jumper. Carreras hoists a high kick that Smith fields before being flattened by De La Fuente. Argentina flood forward and force a penalty as Smith is nailed for holding on. Argentina starting to find a groove now. Looks like Boffelli will line up a simple shot at goal.
20 mins: Boffelli climbs high and grabs a kick from Smith, clattering the England fullback in the process. But there’s another Pumas knock-on. Kremer this time. That’s the third of the half so far. That was a good platform but Kremer took his eyes off the ball at the crucial moment.
18 mins: Those fans have sat back down in no time. Argentina make a mess of their scrum feed and England win the ball with a second shove that forces a knock-on from Isa at the back of the set-piece.
Argentina’s fans are jumping around the stadium. They’re not many, but they’re loud.
Updated
17 mins: It’s quick ball off the top of the line-out and Kremer charges to the line. Advantage for the Pumas. They’re five out. OH! There’s a clever cross chip from Carreras looking for Boffelli but he can’t make it stick. So they go back for the penalty and opt for a scrum under the shadows of the poles. Better from Argentina.
15 mins: Boffelli shows a touch of class by wriggling out of a few tackles. Carreras lifts a high kick that is retained by Argentina so they can launch an attack inside England’s half for the first time. England concede a penalty on the ground and Argentina go to the corner.
Penalty! England 13-0 Argentina (Farrell, 13)
No mistake. Argentina need to wake up quick fast. England are making them look pretty ordinary.
12 mins: England pinch Argentina’s line-out thanks to Genge who pounced on a loose ball. That was smart work from itoje who made a mess of the set-piece. Smith delays a pass to Marchant and Underhill runs straight. England get the penalty advantage. Youngs plays a dink that doesn’t go to anyone so Farrell will take aim at the poles again. All England so far.
10 mins: Itoje catches the restart and his mates form a formidable maul around him and drive up around 10 metres. That gives England front foot ball to kick and they once again dominate the battle fo the skies. Argentina are under pressure on their own 22 and choose to run it back. Cinti with a good canter and they’ve done well to make the space to eventually exit.
TRY! England 10-0 Argentina (Earl, 8)
Earl is over! From a line-out maul that didn’t go anywhere, England keep the ball and it just opens up for Earl who busts through from splintered play to dot down under pressure. Just relentless punches through the guts. A strong carry from Stuart in the build up as well. Farrel, yet again under a torrent of whistles, slots the extras. Great start for England.
Updated
5 mins: England bossing the early kicking battle. It’s messy out the back of the scrum but a raking punt from Farrell puts Mallia under pressure. The relieving clearance doesn;’t go far so England get the line-out. Off first phase ball Tuilagi carries strong and it’s another England line-out feed. This time on the 22 on the left.
4 min: Mallia fields a high kick and Underhill, playing his first game since in a World Cup since the final four years ago, makes a big tackle. There’s an Argentinian knock-on so England will have the scrum feed around half way.
Penalty! England 3-0 Argentina (Farrell, 3)
Despite the whistles, Farrell slots a neat shot from left of the poles. England on the board.
Updated
1 min: It’s kick tennis with the two 10s swapping long hoofs. Eventually Argentina’s fielders are snaffled 10m in their own half and England win a penalty on the ground. Bizarrely, yet again, Farrell is booed whenever he touches the ball. He’ll line up a shot at goal.
England will kick off. Farrell has the ball. PEEEEEP! Away we go!
The man on the tannoy has encouraged the crowd to “create the best atmosphere ever”. I’m not holding my breath, but I am excited for this. As the teams gather in huddles – with Argentina in their changed strip of navy and England in their traditional all white – we’re mere seconds away.
I’m game if Borthwick will take me. Thanks for the suggestion, Damian Clarke:
Hi, Dan. You don’t play loose head, do you?
If so, it’s a shame you’re not in the team. It would make for a potentially interesting front row at some point tonight.
For anyone not aware, Theo Dan starts at hooker for England and Dan Cole is on the bench. Would be a DAN-tastic front row! Sorry.
A bit of history for you plucked straight from World Rugby’s site:
The first match between Argentina and ‘an England XV’ was in 1978 - but the first test, in which caps were awarded to players from both sides, took place three years later. England have enjoyed the upper hand since, winning 20 of the 26 tests. Argentina have won five – most recently last November, when they recorded their second win at Twickenham, the first being in 2006, while that first test in 1981 ended in a draw.
10 minutes to go. And you know what, there’s a decent crowd in, It’s not full. But for a game that we’re told doesn’t matter all that much, I can feel a buzz.
We have to talk about the Tom Curry incident. I’m not qualified to weigh in on it, but if you’re not caught up, here are a few refreshers. Let’s just say the whole affair has soured in the mood.
It’s stopped raining in Paris. I’ve just taken my seat in the press box while the teams get through the prep.
I’m not going to kid you, the atmosphere outside the ground hasn’t had the usual oopmh that previous matches have had in abundance. But a belter of a match might solve that problem. And fair play to the stadium management. They’re blasting the music as loud as it can go and dazzling the few fans inside with a fancy light show. If you built it they will come, etc.
While we’re on the subject of last dances, tuck into Rob Kitson’s musings on the subject:
England are saying goodbye to a few legends of the game. Danny Care and Dan Cole will exit stage left. Courtney Lawes has already done so, having been left out (or having opted out) of tonight’s match.
Ben Youngs will also have one final crack. Read Gerard Meagher’s interview with the veteran scrummie:
England select a side full of running
Marcus Smith at full back, Manu Tuilagi in the centre (for the last time?), Henry Arundell tearing it up on the wing.
What’s not to love. Well, apart from this being a third/fourth play-off, but let’s not get bogged down in details.
England: Marcus Smith; Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Arundell; Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Theo Dan, Will Stuart; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl
Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence.
The countdown is on ⏳
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 27, 2023
Here's a reminder of how we'll line up for our final match of #RWC2023 today! 📋 #ARGvENG pic.twitter.com/Dha8PVQfHG
Preamble
Hello everyone and welcome to the amuse-bouche of this weekend’s fare.
If it’s a game no team really wants to play then it is absolutely a team neither side wants to lose. It would be easy to assume that both England and Argentina will sleepwalk their way through this bronze medal showdown but that’s not always how it works.
Forget Argentina’s desire for revenge after their pool stage loss to tonight’s opponents, and forget England’s intent to bid adieu to a few legends of the Red Rose, this is a Test match. At a World Cup. Between two proud nations. I’d be surprised if this didn’t have at least some spark.
All eyes on Tom Curry, of course, after a very difficult week. More than most out there, he’ll be keen to get on with some rugby.
My name is Dan. Just two more games of what has been a sensational World Cup. Got something you want to share with the group? Drop me a line.
Kick-off at 9pm local time, 8pm BST.
Teams and updates to follow.
