Ford Leads Depleted England to Victory Over Argentina in First Test
England overcame significant adversity and a spirited Argentine challenge to secure a 35-12 victory in the first test match held in La Plata on Saturday. A standout performance from veteran flyhalf George Ford, celebrating his 100th international cap, propelled the team to success despite being heavily outnumbered due to British & Irish Lions commitments.
England entered the match as underdogs, with 14 players unavailable due to their participation in the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Adding to the challenge, the Pumas had recently defeated the Lions in Dublin just two weeks prior.
Resolute Defense and Ford’s Early Brilliance
Despite the odds, England demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly in defense during the first half. The team impressively held up the ball three times, denying Argentina potential tries as the hosts repeatedly threatened the visitors’ goal line. England’s early dominance was further cemented by Ford, who opened the scoring with a 20th-minute drop goal – the only points of the first half.
The match took a dramatic turn early in the second half when England received two yellow cards within six minutes, leaving them with only 13 players on the field. However, this disadvantage did not deter them.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Win
England exploded into action after the break, scoring three tries within the first 10 minutes to establish a commanding 22-0 lead. Tom Roebuck, in only his second international appearance, crossed the line in the corner just one minute into the second half. Four minutes later, Freddie Steward capitalized on a well-timed pass from Ford to break through the Argentine defense and score. Roebuck then added his second try of the match, again orchestrated by Ford’s astute playmaking.
Argentina responded with a 53rd-minute try from veteran flanker Pablo Matera, who was making his record-equalling 110th appearance for the Pumas, and a subsequent try by lock Pedro Rubiolo, narrowing the gap to 10 points. However, a series of Argentine errors resulted in crucial penalties for England, which Ford expertly converted to maintain a comfortable lead. A late try from substitute Cadan Murley ultimately sealed the victory for the tourists.
Ford’s Performance Fuels Lions Debate
Ford’s exceptional performance is likely to reignite the debate surrounding the selection of flyhalves for the British & Irish Lions. According to one analyst, this display will “certainly add fuel to the argument that Ford, rather than Owen Farrell, should have been considered as an injury replacement.”
The second test between England and Argentina is scheduled for next Saturday in San Juan.
