England narrowly held on to defeat Argentina 31-24 in a pulsating Nations Championship rugby clash on Saturday night. Bautista Delguy saw a last-gasp try for the Pumas disallowed in controversial scenes at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, denying them the opportunity to snatch a dramatic draw to round off a remarkable second half. The Clermont wing was adjudged by TMO Brett Cronan to have grounded the ball on the intersection of the sideline and the try line, following a lengthy review in which there was initial disagreement with referee Angus Gardner.
Argentina felt they should have been awarded a penalty try for high tackles on Delguy by Noah Caluori and Henry Slade, with England escaping with a narrow victory to restore some pride in this fierce rivalry after Wednesday’s heartbreaking late semi-final loss to Argentina in the football World Cup. Steve Borthwick’s side were initially in cruise control against the below-par hosts - who goaded their opponents with shirts inspired by the football World Cup winners of 1986 - thanks to a first-half brace from Ben Earl and Tommy Freeman’s early score, only to suffer more costly ill-discipline as Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and debutant Emmanuel Iyogun were all yellow-carded in the second half.
Mateo Carreras and an Argentine penalty try had England in real trouble amid that flurry of cautions, though they hit back through Marcus Smith and the Pumas then received two of their three yellows as momentum continued to shift wildly back and forth throughout a thrilling second period that took 63 minutes to complete. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s superb try looked to have put the game beyond Argentina, only for Justo Piccardo to set up a grandstand finish before Benhard Janse van Rensburg was stretchered off and England’s 13 men clung on amid the late drama surrounding Delguy.
Argentina vs England highlights
- NO TRY! Controversy as last-gasp Delguy score disallowed
- TRY! Piccardo effort sets up grandstand finish
- TRY! Feyi-Waboso brilliantly punishes awful lineout
- TRY! Marcus Smith scores as flurry of yellows continues
- PENALTY TRY! Coles shown yellow to leave England with 13 men
- Van Poortvliet sin-binned for deliberate knock-on
- TRY! Mateo Carreras strikes early in second half
- TRY! Earl gets his second as England dominate
- TRY! Earl scores before Mateo Carreras shown yellow
- TRY! Freeman gives England early lead
Borthwick hits out at 'negativity' after discipline questions
02:54 , George Flood
Just like pre-match though, Steve Borthwick has again been very punchy with the media after England’s dramatic victory.
He bristled at questions over his team’s repeated ill-discipline after they received four yellow cards in the second half to Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun.
They played nine minutes with 13 men and have now received 14 yellows and one red in their last eight Tests.
“I don’t think now is the time to be digging into that,” Borthwick said.
“This team has done really, really well.
“It was a tough Test match, a fantastic Test match, we scored some wonderful tries and as ever you guys concentrate on the negativity.
“You’re like the negativity committee so it’s lovely coming and talking to you again.”
Steve Borthwick: England showed incredible spirit
02:51 , George Flood
Felipe Contepomi’s counterpart Steve Borthwick was full of praise for England’s resolve and spirit tonight.
He was particularly thrilled with what turned out to be a game-saving intervention from Henry Slade on Bautista Delguy.
“I’m delighted for the players. They showed incredible spirit, led brilliantly by Jamie George,” Borthwick said.
“Matches between England and Argentina, whatever the sport, seem to end up being very tight late on and full of drama.
“It’s almost unfair to pull out one example but Henry Slade’s tackle at the end was incredible.
“It shows the fight that’s in this group of players, as well as their togetherness and connection.
“Right now these players deserve a fantastic holiday, a good night out tonight (Saturday) and a good rest.
“They’ve worked hard and it’s been a season that’s been going a while.
“We all know about the number of minutes the English players play and these guys have stuck it right to the very end.”
Felipe Contepomi accuses England of 'lack of respect'
02:47 , George Flood
The aftermath of tonight’s chaotic game has been just as dramatic as the action on the field.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi stormed out of his post-match press conference at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades after accusing England of showing a “lack of respect” as they celebrated their nail-biting victory with music and cheering in the dressing room next door.
Contepomi initially asked an England representative to make the noise stop before then walking out.
England edge Argentina after chaotic second half
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:42 , George Flood
I don’t know how to even begin to sum up a frankly ridiculous and marathon second half of rugby that lasted for 63 minutes.
Complete and utter chaos is the only way I can describe it.
England were absolutely coasting at half-time, looked in major trouble when down to 13 men shortly afterwards, came roaring back with their own numerical advantage and then needed a hugely contentious last-gasp decision to potentially prevent an infuriating draw.
Four yellow cards for England, all in that second half. Their repeated ill-discipline is a real cause for concern.
Two cautions for Argentina there too, plus one in the first period. Seven yellows overall to go along with eight tries.
I think I need a lie-down.
Argentina 24-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:28 , George Flood
Full-time
Argentina 24-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:28 , George Flood
Referee Angus Gardner gave the try on the field and felt that was clearly grounded, but TMO Brett Cronan insists that the ball was grounded on the intersection of the sideline and try line - meaning it should be disallowed.
Gardner accepts his ruling and the final whistle sounds!
Wow. Massive last-gasp controversy in a truly remarkable game.
Argentina are absolutely seething.
Argentina 24-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:26 , George Flood
This is taking an absolute age to sort out and the TMO and referee are now disagreeing as to whether Delguy grounded the ball inside the line or not!
Utterly remarkable.
Argentina feel that tackle from Caluori was high as well - and they have a point.
Slade’s intervention may well have saved England here, but that looked a bit high too.
Argentina want a penalty try.
Argentina 24-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:24 , George Flood
This is absolutely astonishing drama as Delguy shrugs off Marcus Smith’s attempted tackle and appears to just about ground the ball in the right corner despite the best efforts of Caluori - who replaced Feyi-Waboso a few moments ago - and Slade.
Was he in touch?!
A massive call coming up here.
The on-field decision is try as we go to the TMO.
If the decision stands, Albornoz has a very tough conversion to snatch a last-gasp draw.
TRY! Argentina 24-31 England | Justo Piccardo 80'
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:20 , George Flood
80 mins: Hang on just a moment!
Montpellier centre Piccardo is in for Argentina, who reduce England’s lead to just seven points with 30 seconds still to go after a quick drop-goal conversion from Albornoz.
There will be a restart and England are now playing with 13 men once again.
Is there another last-gasp twist to come here?!
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:17 , George Flood
Best wishes to Janse van Rensburg as he’s stretchered away.
Fingers crossed that’s not as bad as it looks.
We will now play out the final 97 seconds of this remarkable second half.
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:14 , George Flood
There are just over 90 seconds remaining in this game but we’re having a lengthy stoppage as Janse van Rensburg needs to be stretchered off.
A sad ending to only his second England cap for the former South Africa youth international and Bristol Bears centre.
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:12 , George Flood
Genge is back on with Iyogun in the sin-bin and is rowing with Delgado.
The ball is lost by Argentina deep in the 22 and Janse van Rensburg has hurt himself badly here while flying out of the line to make a scything low tackle.
More flashpoints in this feisty contest and more warnings for both captains from referee Angus Gardner.
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:09 , George Flood
76 mins: Scrum resets are dominating the closing exchanges of this game, which is good news for England’s 14 men as the seconds tick away.
Argentina have surely run out of time.
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:07 , George Flood
Iyogun’s England debut is cut short as he’s now sin-binned for cynical play as Argentina looked to touch down over the line.
England’s fourth yellow card of this second half and the seventh for both teams overall.
Ridiculous.
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:04 , George Flood
Janse van Rensburg is back on for England for the final few minutes, into midfield as a replacement for Atkinson.
Argentina are still trying to make a game of this late on...
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:02 , George Flood
Curry, Kloska and Spencer have replaced Martin, Heyes and Van Poortvliet for England.
Ruiz and Benitez Cruz were introduced a while ago by the Pumas.
Argentina 17-31 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:01 , George Flood
Argentina are hammering away at England’s defence on the try line, attacking with a permanent advantage for multiple offsides.
They are held up in the end, but Pollock now sees yellow for the latest of those offsides - the home fans love that.
The sixth yellow card of this frantic contest.
I think that’s now 14 vs 14, but you can never be sure in this hectic game.
TRY! Argentina 17-31 England | Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 69'
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:57 , George Flood
69 mins: Try number five for England as they make their numerical advantage count!
Argentina are fully punished by Feyi-Waboso following a dreadful lineout as he carves his way through in stunning fashion.
Fin Smith can’t hit the conversion this time. The lead is 14 points with just over 10 minutes to go.
Argentina 17-26 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:54 , George Flood
Right, so having been so dominant and back within just two points at 15 men vs 13, Argentina are now with 13 against 15 and trailing by nine points.
This has been a remarkable second half so far.
TRY! Argentina 17-26 England | Marcus Smith 62'
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:51 , George Flood
62 mins: The momentum shifts in this game are absolutely incredible!
Following Pollock’s bulldozing carry, Marcus Smith touches down in the right corner after Santiago Carreras can’t cut out Fin Smith’s looping pass.
A tough conversion is nailed by Fin Smith amid heavy pressure from the stands.
And now Carreras is shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on!
My word. I’m losing track of how many players each team has on the field here...
Argentina 17-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:48 , George Flood
Van Poortvliet is back, so it’s suddenly level at 14 vs 14 after that Oviedo yellow...
Argentina 17-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:46 , George Flood
Pollock and Pepper with a couple of key turnovers as England’s 13 men just about hold on.
But Argentina now lose number eight Oviedo for 10 minutes after a croc roll on Pepper.
Yellow card following another lengthy TMO review.
Argentina 17-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:44 , George Flood
Fin Smith has returned for England, who have sent on Emmanuel Iyogun for his debut in the front row, replacing Genge.
Cowan-Dickie replaces captain George at hooker.
Janse van Rensburg back off.
Lucio Cinti has replaced Mateo Carreras for the Pumas.
Argentina 17-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:43 , George Flood
This crowd have well and truly woken up now.
Henry Pollock gets the expected boos as he replaces Earl in England’s back row.
PENALTY TRY! Argentina 17-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:38 , George Flood
55 mins: England are down to 13 men after a long TMO review as it’s ruled a deliberate knock-on by Coles.
It’s also ruled that Matera would have scored from Albornoz’s offload, were it not for that cynical intervention.
England look in massive trouble now.
Argentina 10-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:36 , George Flood
55 mins: Albornoz sells a clever dummy and accelerates through the gap as Argentina’s onslaught continues.
He’s brought down just short of the line by Janse van Rensburg, attempting to offload off the floor for Matera to score as the ball is deliberately swiped from the side by Coles.
This could well be a penalty try and another yellow card...
Argentina 10-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:34 , George Flood
54 mins: Argentina are camped deep inside undermanned England’s 22 once again, with the penalty advantages piling up.
This is feeling very ominous for England’s 14 men at the moment.
Argentina absolutely dominating against England in a second half. Where have we seen that before this week...
Argentina 10-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:31 , George Flood
52 mins: England are now down both starting half-backs with Fin Smith and Van Poortvliet off the field.
What a lineout steal from Chessum to shut the door on Argentina.
A huge moment from England’s vice-captain.
They badly needed that.
Argentina 10-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:30 , George Flood
50 mins: Albornoz tries to pop the ball over the top for Santiago Carreras as Argentina continue to ask serious questions of England’s stretched defence.
That’s a very obvious deliberate knock-on from Van Poortvliet, who is shown yellow after a TMO review.
We should mention that Fin Smith is also still off having a HIA after that Argentina try, triggered by the mouthguard.
Van Rensburg took his place.
Argentina 10-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:27 , George Flood
48 mins: England are creaking under more heavy pressure as they give away another penalty.
Argentina ring the changes in the pack as Wenger, Delgado, Matera and Elias replace Vivas, Rapetti, Alemanno and Grondona.
England alterations are imminent too.
Argentina 10-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:25 , George Flood
45 mins: From a position of such strength, England have to keep their wits about them here as Argentina botch another chance shortly after Mateo Carreras’ try.
They can’t let Argentina build up a head of steam as this crowd gets back into it.
TRY! Argentina 10-19 England | Mateo Carreras 43'
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:22 , George Flood
43 mins: The Pumas have their first try of the night after a strong start to this second half.
The ball goes loose after an initial carry from Garcia, before Mateo Carreras picks it up and drives over.
Fin Smith was battered back there.
Albornoz adds the extras and England’s lead is reduced to nine points.
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:19 , George Flood
42 mins: Already a far better start to the second half from Argentina as a lovely little up-and-under from fly-half Albornoz sends them on their way.
Marcus Smith can’t stop him, though Feyi-Waboso does well to deny Carreras.
Argentina were attacking with a penalty advantage for offside and now they kick to the corner.
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:17 , George Flood
Back off and running at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.
How quickly can England secure the bonus point?
Surely Argentina won’t be as bad in this second half...
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:04 , George Flood
A thoroughly impressive first half from England, who have silenced the home crowd with a Ben Earl brace that followed Tommy Freeman's early score.
The Pumas - in their 1986 replica football World Cup shirts - have been very poor indeed.
Exactly what Borthwick needed.
And it’s been every bit as feisty as we expected at times.
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:01 , George Flood
Half-time
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:01 , George Flood
40 mins: The Argentina penalty count continues to tick over and they are under more pressure before the interval, with Petti whistled for jumping across the lineout.
England go for the corner and have one last attempt before half-time, but this time they can’t make it count.
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:59 , George Flood
We should mention that Mateo Carreras is now back out on the pitch and Argentina are back up to a full complement of players.
They need to find some sort of answer here, or this could get ugly really quickly.
England hunting the bonus point before the break.
Argentina 3-19 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:58 , George Flood
36 mins: Unlike their football team, this is really poor from Argentina at the moment.
It’s all so easy for England’s stout defence as they try to build phases and pose a threat with ball in hand.
A drop-goal attempt from Albornoz is unsuccessful.
TRY! Argentina 3-19 England | Ben Earl 33'
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:54 , George Flood
33 mins: Three tries in the first half for England!
Santiago Carreras just prevents Van Poortvliet from scoring after more fine work from the brilliant Freeman.
England have an attacking scrum five metres out and dominate, their forwards rumbling through as Earl helps himself to another.
More angry scenes as frustrated Argentina then confront George of all people.
Fin Smith puts over another simple conversion and England are purring.
PENALTY! Argentina 3-12 England | Tomas Albornoz 30'
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:50 , George Flood
30 mins: Argentina are on the board after half an hour as George is penalised for obstruction and Albornoz slots over a long-range kick.
The referee confirms that Mateo Carreras’ yellow card will remain exactly that.
Argentina 0-12 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:47 , George Flood
26 mins: So close to a quick-fire third try for England, but Fin Smith spills the ball while trying to score after a dangerous chip through from Freeman and good work from opposite number Albornoz.
Yellow card - Mateo Carreras (Argentina)
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:43 , George Flood
Referee Angus Gardner initially sounds sympathetic to Mateo Carreras, but he clearly drove up into contact with the head there and it’s a deserved yellow card.
It will be looked at in the bunker, too.
Argentina are two tries down and now a man down.
TRY! Argentina 0-12 England | Ben Earl 24'
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:41 , George Flood
24 mins: England cut Argentina apart again!
Brilliant from Heyes to start the attack, before Feyi-Waboso finds space to weave his way forward in typically electric fashion.
He pops the ball off to Earl, who powers his way over under heavy pressure to touch down.
Fin Smith slots the conversion.
There’s a TMO review now for a potential hit to the head on Freeman by Mateo Carreras.
This doesn’t look good.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:37 , George Flood
20 mins: The tempo ramps up again as Santiago Carreras makes a superb break for the Pumas, shedding tackles before dropping the ball after a crucial hit from Marcus Smith.
Genge and Petti then get heated before England race forward and Genge charges his way through.
There’s another England knock-on to halt their momentum and they are again penalised at the scrum, whistled for driving at an angle on the loosehead side.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:35 , George Flood
A closer look at those Puma shirts paying tribute to Diego Maradona and the Argentina team that won the 1986 football World Cup in Mexico, breaking England hearts along the way...
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:32 , George Flood
17 mins: It’s all a little scrappy at the moment, with Argentina unable to set up another decent attacking platform after winning a scrum penalty in the aftermath of a knock-on.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:29 , George Flood
15 mins: England look to work the ball through the hands again and build phases at close quarters, but it’s all a bit too tight and Argentina deal with it pretty easily before earning a breakdown penalty of their own.
Feyi-Waboso is England’s biggest carrying threat at the moment.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:28 , George Flood
14 mins: England have been up to the challenge physically early on here, despite all the Argentina pressure since Freeman’s early try.
They earn a deserved breakdown penalty.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:26 , George Flood
11 mins: No need as Argentina are pinged for not binding properly at the scrum.
I think tighthead Rapetti was the guilty party there, up against Genge.
A very cheap penalty that lets England off the hook.
Felipe Contepomi will be very frustrated with that.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:25 , George Flood
9 mins: England’s last-ditch defence just about holds firm in front of their own line, though they get a reprieve from an Argentine handling error as openside Kremer spills a pass from captain Montoya forward.
They have the put-in at a scrum five metres out from their line and will look to negotiate a quick exit to alleviate some of this constant pressure.
Argentina 0-5 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:23 , George Flood
8 mins: England have been under sustained pressure since that early score, with captain George warned by the referee following three quick-fire penalties conceded deep in their 22 - including Martin bringing down a maul.
Argentina continue to kick to the corner and are now metres away from the line...
TRY! Argentina 0-5 England | Tommy Freeman 4'
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:19 , George Flood
4 mins: A lovely switch of direction in attack from England deep inside the Argentina 22.
Fin Smith then aims a wonderful kick out to Freeman, who beats Carreras all ends up in the air before quickly going over in the right corner.
A scrap breaks out immediately after the try as emotions run high, with England penalised for Chessum being deemed to have escalated things.
A tough conversion is missed by Fin Smith.
But a superb start from England here.
Argentina 0-0 England
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:17 , George Flood
3 mins: A superb start from England after an early scrum, with the fleet-footed and lightning-fast Feyi Waboso leading the charge off his wing.
Now a strong carry from Chessum through the middle and they are already knocking firmly on the door...
Kick-off
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:15 , George Flood
Underway in the final game of this summer portion of the inaugural Nations Championship.
Those weren’t just warm-up shirts from Argentina by the way, they are wearing them during the game.
Top-tier trolling.
England in all white. Australian Angus Gardner is the referee.
'God Save the King' whistled in Argentina
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:10 , George Flood
‘God Save the King’ is whistled by the partisan home crowd at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades.
I’m fascinated to see how England handle this type of hostile atmosphere, which didn’t really materialise at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on opening weekend despite all the build-up.
The Argentine National Anthem now follows, with so much passion on display around the ground.
They have gone for the full three-and-a-half minute version.
Here come the teams
Saturday 18 July 2026 20:05 , George Flood
The teams are a little late in leaving their respective dressing rooms in Santiago del Estero, where it’s not sunny but rather cloudy and drizzly at the moment.
A lot of boos and whistles for the England players as they emerge from the tunnel.
A sea of Argentina shirts across the stands.
Speaking of Argentina shirts, the Pumas have just run out wearing replicas of Argentina’s 1986 football World Cup kit - the one in which Diego Maradona scored both the ‘Hand of God’ and arguably the best goal in history as England were dumped out in the quarter-finals at the Estadio Azteca.
No need for that, lads.
Borthwick gives punchy pre-match interview
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:58 , George Flood
An unusually punchy pre-match interview from Steve Borthwick with former team-mate David Flatman on ITV.
He bristles at a question over the consistency in England’s team selection over recent weeks, insisting that he would have faced criticism either way.
Borthwick points out that Emmanuel Iyogun will be the fourth new cap he has handed out this summer when he comes off the bench tonight, following George Kloska, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori.
How many more do you want, he asks.
Warm-ups almost complete
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:53 , George Flood
Final preparations at the 42,000-capacity Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, northern Argentina.
The stadium has hosted both the Pumas and Argentina’s football team in the past, plus some big domestic football finals including the 2019 Supercopa Argentina.
Nations Championship results today
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:42 , George Flood
It’s been another hectic day of Nations Championship action as the summer portion of the inaugural Northern Hemisphere vs Southern Hemisphere competition draws to a close.
A tough afternoon for Wales as they were nilled and shipped 43 points in South Africa, after spirited Fiji had given Scotland a far sterner test than they gave England last weekend, eventually going down 33-17 at Murrayfield.
Italy were demolished 57-10 by the Wallabies in Australia, after France brushed aside Japan 42-15 in Tokyo and New Zealand shone in a 40-21 defeat of Ireland at their Eden Park fortress.
Argentina confident of emulating football team's heroics
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:36 , George Flood
Argentina’s rugby stars will certainly take inspiration from their football counterparts as they bid to topple England this evening.
Flanker Joaquin Moro - who plays his club rugby for Leicester - believes the Pumas can feed off the incredible atmosphere that has swept across the country in the aftermath of Wednesday’s dramatic World Cup semi-final victory.
However, he is also expecting a reaction from an England team who may have revenge on the mind.
“It’s amazing for our country,” Moro said. “If you go out to the streets across Argentina all this week, you see white and the blue jerseys everywhere.
“It was a special day on Wednesday because of the semi-final and it’s a special month because of the World Cup.
“The passion of the country comes out now more than at other times and that means that our game against England will also be special.
“It’s always a hard game against England, but this time I think it will be a little more so.”
England out to continue winning streak against Argentina
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:29 , George Flood
England’s record against Argentina is a very strong one.
They have won 24 of 30 previous meetings against the Pumas, including five in a row and 15 of the last 16.
A team missing their British and Irish Lions contingent - against an Argentina outfit resting many of their own key players - won impressively 2-0 on their summer tour last year, before that spicy 27-23 autumn victory at Twickenham in November.
Argentina’s only win over England since 2009 came at Twickenham in the autumn of 2022, when Emiliano Boffelli starred as the Pumas won at the home of English rugby for the first time since 2006.
It is 17 years since Argentina last defeated England on home soil.
Will that change tonight?
England confirm late squad change
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:20 , George Flood
Here’s confirmation from England of that late change to their bench as George Kloska replaces the concussed Asher Opoku-Fordjour...
TEAM UPDATE
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 18, 2026
George Kloska comes into the side to replace an injured Asher Opoku-Fordjour for our Nations Championship fixture against Argentina 💪@O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/6uNiCrvXdH
Curry and Contepomi reunite after Twickenham tunnel clash
Saturday 18 July 2026 19:10 , George Flood
Tonight’s game is absolutely full of fascinating subplots, one of which is the reunion between England back-row Tom Curry and Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi.
Contepomi accused Curry of being a “bully” and pushing and swearing at him during a clash that occurred in the tunnel at Twickenham following England’s feisty 27-23 victory over the Pumas in an autumn international last November.
Chaos broke out after the full-time whistle that day, with Argentina incensed over a tackle Curry made on full-back Juan Cruz Mallia that left him with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
"I don't know where to start with it," Contepomi said afterwards.
"I am not a good English speaker but I would call it reckless. We ended up playing with 14, they ended up with 15 and it was not even checked out [by the match officials].
"And Curry, let me say, it is not only that because probably it is part of his nature to bully people.
“But he came off in the tunnel and he gave me a little smack. He is 27, strong. I am 48."
The Six Nations, who organise the autumn internationals, decided to take no action against Curry after investigating the alleged incident.
Borthwick defends Pollock over Argentina fan taunts
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:51 , George Flood
Henry Pollock will be used to the regular boos from opposition crowds by now, but he could be in for a particularly rough reception when he comes on tonight.
Footage of England’s ultra-confident back-row sensation taunting Argentina fans from the team bus went viral on social media earlier this week.
Pollock was seen making faces at the supporters, many of whom were wearing Argentina shirts, as well as shushing gestures as the England team went back to their hotel following a training session.
It is unlikely to be forgotten by the home fans in attendance tonight, but Steve Borthwick defended the Northampton star’s actions.
“Henry’s full of character,” Borthwick said. “We want character in our game and we want character in our squad.
“This squad really embraces what he brings.
“It takes all kinds of different personalities and we’ve got some players who wouldn’t do that and then you’ve got Henry who would go and do that.
“We embrace it. I think it was done in good nature and it came from a very good place.”
England change hotels to avoid potential Argentina World Cup party
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:44 , George Flood
Santiago del Estero is more than 650 miles north of Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital where England have been based since arriving in the country at the start of the week.
They will travel back there after tonight’s game and stay for one more night, changing hotels to one closer to the airport ahead of Monday’s flight home in case they get caught up in the celebrations if Argentina beat Spain in tomorrow’s football World Cup final.
Players were given earplugs and a steel fence was erected around their hotel as a precautionary measure on Wednesday night as jubilant Argentina fans celebrated their dramatic semi-final win over England in some style.
“I wouldn’t suggest that everybody got a great night’s sleep last night – there were still fireworks going off at 4am this morning,” Steve Borthwick said on Thursday.
“Most of us were on the other side of the hotel and earplugs were issued to everybody, so we were prepared for that.
“I went up to the hotel terrace that overlooks the street fairly late and there were still a load of players just watching it and just taking it in. People jumping up and down for hours in the streets.
“Fireworks going off. It was something to see.
“We’d obviously all wanted England to win but one of the experiences of touring is seeing a spectacle like that in a different part of the world.”
Ollie Chessum 'extremely hopeful' that racist incident won't be repeated
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:30 , George Flood
The Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) were adamant that last year’s incident of racist abuse in San Juan was a one-off.
England vice-captain Ollie Chessum is hopeful that there won’t be any repeat this evening at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades.
“It’s important that we support our team-mates and look after our friends,” he said.
“What happened last year was terrible and we don’t want a repeat of that.
“But I’m extremely hopeful that something like that doesn’t happen.
“The stadium is an awesome place to play and at our hotel there were Argentinian fans who had been waiting to see us all morning.”
Jamie George: England may leave pitch if targeted by racist abuse
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:26 , George Flood
England captain Jamie George has suggested that he could lead his team off the pitch if there is any racist abuse from the stands tonight.
England duo Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were targeted by a small group of fans while they warmed up during the first half of England’s 22-17 Second Test victory in San Juan last summer.
World Rugby concluded that an incident of racial discrimination had taken place and George insists England could walk back down the tunnel if there is a repeat incident in Santiago del Estero this evening.
“It’s something being considered,” he said. “If anything like that happened then it deserves the strongest of reactions. There is no place for that in the world and I feel incredibly strongly about that.
“We’ve had discussions around ‘what if?’. I really hope – and I’m optimistic – that the Argentinian Rugby Union has taken it very seriously. At the same time we’ve got a plan B if that doesn’t happen.
“The first thing we’d do is make the referee aware of what we’ve seen so it can be properly logged and all the protocols can go into play. What we do outside of that we’re still deciding.”
George added: “It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life when I heard what had happened – and it wasn’t directed at me.
“It was directed at my team-mates and I care about my team-mates more than anything.
“I will continue to have conversations with a select group of players from different ethnic backgrounds and we will come up with a plan.”
Argentina lineup
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:12 , George Flood
And here’s how Argentina shape up up with Matias Moroni and Mayco Vivas replacing Lucio Cinti and Boris Wenger.
Pedro Delgado, Efrain Elias and Joaquin Moro are in for Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina and Ignacio Mendy on the bench.
10 of this Pumas squad play their club rugby in England.
Argentina XV: S Carreras; Delguy, Moroni, Piccardo, M Carreras; Albornoz, Garcia; Vivas, Montoya (c), Rapetti; Petti, Alemanno; Grondona, Kremer, Oviedo
Replacements: Ruiz, Wenger, Delgado, Elias, Matera, Moro, Benitez Cruz, Cinti
England lineup
Saturday 18 July 2026 18:05 , George Flood
Here is how England line up in Santiago del Estero tonight, with Steve Borthwick naming an unchanged starting XV from the drubbing of Fiji.
As mentioned, George Kloska is now back on the bench after fellow prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour was withdrawn late due to concussion.
Emmanuel Iyogun awaits his debut, having initially replaced Kloska, with the only other change in the squad being the injured Alex Mitchell making way for Ben Spencer as the back-up scrum-half.
Henry Pollock, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori will all be eager to make big impacts off the bench once again.
England XV: M Smith; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (c), Heyes; Coles, Martin; Chessum, Pepper, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Iyogun, Kloska, Curry, Pollock, Spencer, Janse van Rensburg, Caluori
Argentina vs England prediction
Saturday 18 July 2026 17:56 , George Flood
The World Cup semi-final drama has undoubtedly added an extra edge to this already spicy fixture, with Argentina eager to inflict a second painful defeat on their old rivals in the space of just a few days.
England can expect a fervent and partisan football-like atmosphere tonight, having moved their hotel in Buenos Aires in order to avoid any potential celebrations if Argentina beat Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.
If they can deal with that, and buoyed by a thumping success over an admittedly woeful Fiji, we anticipate a nail-biter that could go right down to the wire, with England edging a ferocious contest to restore some feel-good factor under Borthwick.
England to win, by three points.
Argentina team news
Saturday 18 July 2026 17:53 , George Flood
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi makes two changes to the Pumas team that beat Wales 35-21 in San Juan last weekend.
Matias Moroni replaces Lucio Cinti at outside centre, while Mayco Vivas is in for Boris Wenger at loosehead.
Matias Alemanno retains his place at lock after clearing concussion protocols.
Pedro Delgado, Efrain Elias and Joaquin Moro all come on to the bench as Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina and Ignacio Mendy make way.
England team news
Saturday 18 July 2026 17:49 , George Flood
There has been a late withdrawal from the England matchday squad in Argentina, with versatile back-up prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour now out due to concussion.
He failed a HIA after suffering a knock to the head in training and will see his place on the bench taken by George Kloska, who made his senior international debut against Fiji as a replacement last weekend.
Kloska - who had a reduced training workload this week due to a tight back - will cover Joe Heyes at tighthead, with Emmanuel Iyogun covering Ellis Genge on the loosehead side as he prepares to make his own England debut this evening.
Steve Borthwick named an unchanged starting XV on Thursday as he rewarded the side that decimated abject Fiji, with Henry Pollock remaining on the bench despite his headline hat-trick and no maiden starts yet for either Benhard Janse van Rensburg or Noah Caluori.
Alex Mitchell suffered another hamstring injury against Fiji so has not travelled to Argentina, with Ben Spencer coming on to the bench to back up starting scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet.
How to watch Argentina vs England
Saturday 18 July 2026 17:40 , George Flood
TV channel: In the UK, Argentina vs England in the Nations Championship is being televised live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST.
Live stream: You can also catch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a sign-up.
Argentina vs England live
Saturday 18 July 2026 17:38 , George Flood
It's Argentina vs England all over again tonight.
Just three days after that most dramatic of football World Cup semi-final showdowns in Atlanta, the fierce rivals collide once more - this time in rugby union's Nations Championship.
Steve Borthwick's side will no doubt want to restore some English pride and build momentum after ending the five-match losing streak that had put him under such significant pressure with an 11-try, 73-8 thrashing of Fiji in what was technically an away match in Liverpool last weekend.
Henry Pollock registered a second-half hat-trick and there were scores for debutants Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori as England bounced back following a drubbing in South Africa on the first week of the inaugural Northern Hemisphere vs Southern Hemisphere competition that followed their worst-ever Six Nations campaign.
But they have another tough challenge in store this evening away against a confident and experienced Pumas outfit who brushed aside Wales in round two after being outgunned by Scotland on home soil.
Kick-off at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero is at 8:10pm BST, so stick with us for all your match build-up, team news - including a late change to England's squad - and live game updates.
This should be anything but dull...
