England and Argentina player ratings: The superb Ford is a master of pace as Laws leads the way

George Ford's game management was superb for England. Photo: AFP/Christophe Simon

In 2023, England received the Rugby World Cup. The campaign is in full swing with a 27-10 win over Argentina, but they had to learn it the hard way after Tom Curry was sent off for a dangerous tackle after just three minutes.

George Ford proved to be England's match-winning hero, taking all of his team's points, ensuring England would end the year in terrible form and avoid an early defeat in Group D

England15. Freddie Steward

Not an impressive performance from a defender, but given the circumstances it was what England needed. 7/10

14. Jonny May

Works exceptionally hard and certainly chases shots well, but the 33-year-old looks better than his (very good) best. 6/10

13. Joe Marchant

Continued to show why he was in the team ahead of Henry Slade, doing everything his team needed, including scrummaging. 7/10

Joe Marchant fully justified his choice. Photo: REUTERS/Peter Cziborra 12. Manu Tuilagi

For a player who can dictate the course of a game, Tuilagi's involvement was sporadic but had a huge impact when he did. 7/10

11. Elliot Daly

Missed wide and wide with two long-range penalties and failed to gain possession of the ball as a second receiver as England would have liked. 5/10

10. George Ford

Ford's remarkable long-range goals and calm play kept England's 14-man squad in the fray when they needed him most. A performance for which he will be remembered. 9/10

George Ford will always be remembered for his superb performance in Marseille. Credit: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. 9. Alex Mitchell

A bold choice after missing the starting lineup, Mitchell provided an additional scoring threat. His kicking takes some polishing, but is definitely worth sticking with. 7/10

1. Ellis Genge

Helped to gain an advantage in a fight without achieving true superiority while he was in the game. It's quieter than usual outside. 6/10

2. Jamie George

Perhaps England's most important player since Luke Cowan-Dickie's injury, George has shown leadership and set-piece work. 7/10

3. Dan Cole

Although Cole offers fewer options than before, the 36-year-old's confident performances have been key to giving England a foothold in the game. 7/10

Dan Cole has less to offer… Photo: REUTERS/Peter Ciborra 4. Maro Itoje 

England need Itoje to be his best again and he was still below that level despite coming into the game. Still a step in the right direction. 7/10

5. Ollie Chessum

Undoubtedly an elite player in the making who managed the England maul well and played with controlled aggression. 7/10

6. Courtney Lawes (Captain)

As usual, led from the front with physical defense and outstanding breakdown breaking, winning several penalties. 8/10

Courtney Laws led the way. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images 7 Tom Curry

The flanker defended too hard after injury and was red carded after checking the TMO bunker for a slightly unfortunate head-on collision in the third minute. 2/10

8. Ben Earl

Powerful tackling with typically tight play on both sides of the ball. Looks increasingly confident at the international level. Fewer kicks are needed, mind you. 8/10

Replacements

Theo Dan (George, 72)
Joe Marler (Genge, 54 of the year)
Will Stewart(Cole, 50)
George Martin (Chessum, 59)
Lewis Ludlam (Lawes 65)
Danny Care > (Mitchell 59
Marcus Smith (Ford 76)
< strong>Ollie Lawrence(Tuilagi 69)

Joe Marler and Will Stewart Lewis Ludlam's 12 tackles in 15 minutes was a special achievement.

Argentina 15. Juan Cruz Malla

One great high a shot under pressure from Curry that left his shirt covered in blood. Came back but was comfortably stopped by England's rushing defense. 4/10

14. Emiliano Boffelli 

Usually one of the best goalkeepers in the game, taking his first penalty off the post. Missed by a second and it's a credit to England's discipline that he had little chance. 3/10

13. Lucio Cinti 

Usually used on the wing and threatened here after the restart, leading to one England error, but he had almost no ball to threaten with. 3/10

12. Santiago Chocobares 

Great shot from the Toulouse playmaker at 50-22, but he can still shoot with confidence. The bland response summed up Argentina's nervousness. Never gave a spark. 4/10

Santiago Chocobares failed to provide a spark. Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier 11 Mateo Carreras 

A blow to a full Argentina under pressure when a counter-attack could have been mounted. Ineffective in attack — down to one dart when his team was 18 points behind. 3/10

10. Santiago Carreras

Received a yellow card for being late on Ford, giving his opponent three points. Detected a target reset error but was unable to execute and the attack never started. 3/10

9. Gonzalo Bertrand 

Boxing kicks that were actually chaseable, what a rarity. But he was harassed by the England forwards and the kind of sharp attacks we saw in Argentina never happened. March 10

England's strikers made Bertrand's life hell. Photo: NICOLAS TOUCAT/AFP via Getty Images 1. Thomas Gallo

Went into the home stretch as Argentina were thriving and complained about keeping Guinge in the ruck. Cole was later contacted and his number was in the scrum. 2/10

2. Julian Montoya (captain)

Came in from the corner after a maul when Argentina threatened and was ruthless in defense, making 11 tackles by half-time. If only his side would follow suit. 5/10

3. Francisco Gomez Codela 

Stumbled down to stop Argentina's attack when they were just under the England posts and the contest dragged on despite England losing a special striker. 3/10

4. Matias Alemanno

 Crashes rucks but is still capable of soft passes but was sent off at half-time due to Petty's overall lack of impact for England. 4/10

5. Thomas Lavanini 

He initially put a lot of pressure on Lowes in the lineout, but as England took control he disappeared along with the rest of the forwards. 3/10

6. Pablo Matera 

The fierce runner returned punches and made one sharp tackle on Chessum. What followed was a brilliant turn and always beat the defenders. Soft penalty taking out Steward. 6/10

Pablo Matera was Argentina's best player on a troubling night for the Pumas. Photo: NICHOLAS TOUCAT/AFP via Getty Images 7. Marcos Kremer

Returned to the side after suspension and few players hit harder, pushing the England players back. in a tackle, but then disappeared greatly as the game progressed. 4/10

8. Juan Martin Gonzalez

Couple of good rumbles and almost came alive with a carry early in the second half, although his offload was poor. 3/10

Substitutions

Agustin Creevy(Montoya, 68)
Joel Scalvi (Gallo, 49)
Eduardo Bello (Gomez Codela, 62)
Guido Petti (Alemanno, 40)
Pedro Rubiolo (Lavanini 50)
Rodrigo Bruni(Gonzalez 58)
Lautaro Bazan Velez(Bertrand 68)
Matias Moroni < /strong>(M Carreras 63)