England, with Hartley, Lee Dickson and Chris Robshaw pulling the strings, answered every question that has been asked about their style for the last week.
Again they poured forward and a third try, carved out by their dominant pack, followed after 34 minutes.
Farrell provided the pass and Ashton, who was set for the axe until Christian Wade damaged a hamstring in a training session on Tuesday, powered into the corner. Ashton, who has only scored two tries in his last 17 international games, looked a relieved man after making no mistake from close range to give England a 24-6 lead at half-time.
Last week the interval proved the making of them when they took the opportunity to regroup but this time everything fell apart as Argentina looked a much-improved side.
They were helped in no small part by England’s indiscipline, which allowed Sanchez to land two penalties.
Lancaster emptied his bench in an effort to get England back on track but they looked like losing the second half on the scoreboard until three minutes from the end, much to the relief of a packed Twickenham.
Morgan, whose international career has failed to hit the same heights as when he first broke into the side, crossed the line.
The try was created when England won a lineout and took the ball through the middle, as they had done very successfully in the first half, and Morgan finished.
It wasn’t enough, however, to erase the memory of the 37 minutes that preceded it.
ENGLAND: Tries Launchbury, Twelvetrees, Ashton, Morgan. Cons Farrell (4). Pens Farrell.
ARGENTINA: Pens Sanchez (3), Bosch.
England 31 - Argentina 12: Early England promise fades
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