England's rugby team secured a hard-fought 31-24 victory over Argentina in the inaugural Nations Championship, exacting revenge after their football counterparts were eliminated by Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. The match was marked by intense rivalry, with England's Ellis Genge engaging in a cheeky celebration after Ben Earl scored a try, cupping his ears in the direction of Argentina supporters.
The game got off to a strong start for England, with Tommy Freeman scoring a try after just three minutes, followed by two converted tries from Ben Earl. However, Argentina fought back, reducing the deficit through a score from Mateo Carreras and a penalty try that saw England reduced to 13 men. England ultimately prevailed, with Marcus Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scoring tries to silence the home crowd.
The result leaves England third in the Northern Hemisphere table, two points behind leaders France, while Argentina sits fourth in the Southern Hemisphere table with one win and two losses. The match was not without controversy, with England's Henry Pollock causing a stir before the game by making dismissive gestures towards Argentina fans from the team coach.
After the match, Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi accused England's players of lacking respect, while England coach Steve Borthwick defended his team against criticism of their disciplinary record. Borthwick praised his players for their spirit and togetherness, highlighting the sense of connection within the squad and noting that they deserve a well-earned rest after a long season.
The intense rivalry between England and Argentina was on full display throughout the match, with both teams giving it their all in a dramatic and absorbing contest. The victory marks a positive end to England's summer schedule, and they will look to build on this momentum in their future matches.
