England player ratings: England made it two from two against Argentina in July, backing up last week’s victory with a dramatic 22-17 win in San Juan at the death.
Steve Borthwick did not want to change much going into the second Test, only replacing the injured Henry Slade with Luke Northmore and Theo Dan coming in late on following Jamie George’s call-up to the British & Irish Lions.
But once again, there was plenty to like about the display, but maybe not as much as last week, as England proved to be quite wasteful in the Pumas’ half. On to the United States next week for England.
Here’s how the players rated:
Match Summary 
15. Freddie Steward – 7
Kicked the ball dead in the opening seconds, but improved significantly after that. Scored in the corner for England’s second, his second in two matches. There has been a noticeable stylistic shift by the full-back as he looks to fight for that No.15 jersey when the Lions return. Unfortunate for Argentina’s second try, with the ball ricocheting off the post from a chip.
14. Tom Roebuck – 7.5
Aerial supremacy came to the fore again early on, winning a cross-kick above his head before moving the ball back infield to Luke Northmore before Seb Atkinson scored. Frequently provided quite a punch on the right wing.
13. Luke Northmore – 7.5
A dream start to Test rugby, putting his centre partner in to score with a perfect offload while going to ground. A well-rounded debut, showing what he brings in all areas of the game.
12. Seb Atkinson – 8
On the same wavelength as Northmore from the off the cross for a try – his first in just his second Test. Though his match was largely defined by his defensive contribution last week, he looked far more comfortable and composed on the ball this week.
11. Will Muir – 7.5
Came off his wing in a slick move in the build-up to England’s second try and then put in the finishing pass as Steward went over. His ability to receive the ball at full tilt and still move it on has been a key part of England’s attack over the last two weeks. Hared after kicks again and had a low error count.
10. George Ford – 8
Cross-kick to his Sale Sharks team-mate was on the money for England’s opening try. Had England’s backline purring more or less from the off, but could not necessarily see them convert pressure into points and had some errors in him when the hosts put him under pressure. In a tight affair, his backfield coverage and tactical kicking was a step above Argentina’s. Kicked well from the tee again, though not perfect.
9. Ben Spencer – 6.5
Steady again during his 60 minutes on the field, getting some great yardage on his kicks but England did start to slow down in the ten minutes before he left the field.
1. Fin Baxter – 7
Penalised at the scrum in the opening quarter, but it was hardly because England were being beaten in that department. Double digits again in the tackle count during his 57 minutes on the field.
2. Theo Dan – 3
A late inclusion into the starting XV after Jamie George’s Lions call and lacked a bit of sharpness with the lineout faltering. A handling error and a high tackle as well made it a first half to forget. Hobbled from the field before 50 minutes to cap a poor afternoon.
3. Joe Heyes – 8
What a scrummager the tighthead has been these last two matches, leaving the Pumas’ pack looking like a dishevelled heap of humans on one occasion. A match-leading 14 tackles when he left the field just before the hour mark
4. Charlie Ewels – 7
Responsible for Argentina’s early points for not releasing the tackler but this was a gritty performance from the lock. A total of 13 tackles was big and his counter-rucking was as important.
5. Alex Coles – 6.5
The lock’s work-rate in the engine room was the backbone of the huge defensive efforts over the past two weeks, putting in 12 tackles this week and putting the Argentinian half-backs under a lot of duress.
6. Ben Curry – 7
Yellow carded for a poor tackle on Pablo Matera – cannot have many complaints about it – and England struggled around the fringes in his absence. Some shift hitting rucks, allowing England to play at a good tempo. Played with his head up, which always adds an extra dimension to England’s attack – put a grubber through at one point, but most importantly he showed the awareness to offload to Guy Pepper for the match-winning try.
7. Sam Underhill – 8
With England seeing a lot more of the ball this week, Underhill’s military-grade defence-work was not as prominent as it was last week. Still made eight tackles in 57 minutes, but it is the quality of the defence that is so impressive, latching onto players well behind the gainline. Eight carries as well (with a further three after returning to the field for the final ten minutes) was a greater attacking contribution this week.
8. Tom Willis – 7.5
On the same day Ben Earl was named man of the match for the Lions, his club-mate and countryman Willis showed he is not far short with another top-tier performance. Lead the carry charts for forwards when leaving the field after 65 minutes
Replacements
16. Curtis Langdon – 6
A late addition to the 23, the Saints hooker was more dependable at the lineout, but still was not without error. Showed how missed George was.
17. Bevan Rodd – 6
Middle of the road performance from the bench, but showed endeavour and determination to get his hands on the ball.
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour – 7
Made some punchy and troublesome carries during his half hour on the field.
19. Chandler Cunningham-South – N/A
Only had three minutes at the end.
20. Guy Pepper – 8.5
In a game that was fiercely competitive on the floor, Pepper’s breakdown expertise helped England seal the win. It was actually his clean break, though, that gave England a period of sustained field position soon after coming on. But it was his turnover and then break down the left flank that won the match, with the flanker putting van Poortvliet in for the try.
21. Alex Dombrandt – 7
Had a late cameo in the centres with some strong carries.
22. Jack van Poortvliet – 7.5
Passing was crisp and fast as England upped the intensity in attack upon his return, although his kicking was not as impactful as Spencer’s. On hand to score the match-winning try.
23. Cadan Murley – 7.5
Looked dangerous every time he got the ball in his hands, showing his strength to almost put Atkinson in in the corner, though the offload could maybe have been a bit higher.