Rugby College: Follow the build-up to the Sky Sports Box Office clash

Monday 11 November 2013

Follow the build-up to the Sky Sports Box Office clash

England scored three first-half tries on the way to a 31-12 win over Argentina at Twickenham, maintaining their 100 per cent record this autumn.

Joe Launchbury, Billy Twelvetrees and Chris Ashton each touched down in the first 33 minutes as England built a 24-6 lead.

Argentina, in Daniel Hourcade’s first match as coach, produced an improved showing after the break but still slipped to their seventh straight Test defeat, replacement Ben Morgan sealing the result with England’s fourth try late on.

England, who beat Australia 20-13 last week, will complete their autumn programme next Saturday against world champions New Zealand.

Direct action

After an early exchange of penalties between stand-off Owen Farrell and his opposite number Nicolas Sanchez, England’s forwards took control and created the opening try on 12 minutes.

One rolling maul was held just short but Chris Robshaw chose to kick the resulting penalty for a five-metre lineout and – with nobody in any doubt as to the plan – Wasps lock Launchbury touched down for his first Test try from another maul.

Farrell landed the conversion before Argentina reduced their deficit to 10-6 thanks to a penalty from long-range specialist Marcelo Bosch.

England should have scored again when full-back Mike Brown released Ashton on the right but he was denied by Juan Imhoff, who managed to flip the Saracens wing on his back and prevent the grounding.

Ashton – only playing because of injuries to Marland Yarde and Christian Wade – quickly redeemed himself by tidying up some loose ball and sending Twelvetrees on his way to the line for England’s second try, the Gloucester centre powering his way over on an angled run.

And Ashton did get on the scoresheet soon enough with a simple finish in the right corner after Argentina’s defence had been worn down by several more good phases from the forwards.

His 18th international try ended a five-Test scoring drought and Farrell’s touchline conversion gave England an 18-point lead at half-time.

Corbisiero comeback

Prop Alex Corbisiero made his return from an ankle injury by replacing Joe Marler but England lost their way in the early stages of the second half.

Sanchez kicked a pair of penalties to reduce Argentina’s deficit to 24-12 and, as both sides dipped into their replacements, the game became fragmented.

Farrell and Bosch both missed with difficult penalty attempts before No.8 Morgan raced clear in the 77th minute to close out England’s win, Farrell adding his fourth conversion for a personal tally of 11 points.