England player ratings: How Eddie Jones' men fared in Rugby World Cup win over Argentina

Will Macpherson5 October 2019

England became the first team to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup on Saturday.

Eddie Jones's side notched six tries in total in a comfortable 39-10 bonus-point win over Argentina, who saw lock Tomas Lavanini sent off for a hit on Owen Farrell in Tokyo.

Jonny May, Elliot Daly, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie all crossed for England, who have taken maximum points from their first three Pool C fixtures.

They wrap up their group campaign against France in Yokohama next weekend.

Here are Will Macpherson's player ratings from Tokyo...

In Pictures | England vs Argentina, Rugby World Cup | 05/11/2019

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Backs

Elliot Daly: 8

His best game at full-back? Had a terrific first half, was a steady presence under the high ball and ran threateningly from deep. Brilliant try-saving tackle early on, too. Very encouraging.

Anthony Watson: 6

A couple of breaks, but did not get the opportunities to stretch the legs that he would have liked.

Elliot Daly
AFP via Getty Images

Manu Tuilagi: 6

Was lucky not to be carded for aerial hit on Emiliiano Boffelli in the first 20 minutes, but bustled and bludgeoned away with good effect afterwards.

Owen Farrell: 6

Boot was a little off colour early on, and got his second clouting of the tournament. Not that fluent with ball in hand but managed a spiky game pretty well.

Jonny May: 7

Always a threat with ball in hand, and he saw it plenty of it. Ford made his try simple, but there were plenty of nice arcing runs from deep.

George Ford
REUTERS

George Ford: 8

Tactical kicking was a little off in the first half, but was sensational after the break, when he also showed his strength to score. Set May up nicely too.

Ben Youngs: 6

Made up for a poor first half with cute score in the corner. Became England’s most-capped back, with 92, before being withdrawn early.

Forwards

Joe Marler: 8

Huge effort to win two first-half scrum penalties. Gave away one penalty, but was excellent otherwise. Wound up the Argentinians to good effect, too.

Jamie George: 7

Was put under big pressure at the lineout. Lost one, which is unusual, but recovered well, and was very solid everywhere else.

Joe Marler
AFP via Getty Images

Kyle Sinckler: 7

Gets better and better at the set-piece, but was not as conspicuous in the loose as he often is.

Maro Itoje: 7

Played a huge role in the opening try, and was relentless in the tackle. Big performance.

George Kruis: 6

Will be unhappy that England lost a lineout while he was on, but another solid showing. Cute off the top at times.

Tom Curry: 8

Increasingly a presence carrying, and showed his versatility by packing down at No8 after Vunipola went off.

Sam Underhill
Getty Images

Sam Underhill: 9

Named man of the match. Carried well, and tackled like a demon too. One of his very best games for England. Remarkable he is only 23.

Billy Vunipola: 7

Went off with big strapping on his left ankle at half-time. Very solid shift before that, but has to be a major worry.

Selected subs

Lewis Ludlam: 7

Made an impact off the bench as part of a very young back row. Easy to see why Jones thinks so highly of him.

Jack Nowell: 7

Was given just 10 minutes to ease his way back in – and did so in style. There was some suspect tackling, but then again he is mighty difficult to stop when he gets going.