England claim series win in Argentina

England beat Argentina 35-25 in Santa Fe on Saturday to secure a 2-0 series win.

England, who won the first Test 38-34, were again too good for the hosts, despite having 15 players on British & Irish Lions duty.

This was another thrilling, high-scoring contest that was only decided in the 76th minute when George Ford slotted a drop goal.

England opened the scoring with a sixth-minute converted try from Charlie Ewels, with Argentina responding with a converted try to Joaquín Tuculet. George Ford and Nicolás Sánchez then both kicked two penalties to make it 13-13, before Piers Francis scored a try for England to give them a five-point half-time lead.

However, Francis cost his side points when his grubber near halfway was blocked by Pablo Matera, who kicked the ball ahead and scored.

England again hit back with a try from Danny Care, only for Emiliano Boffelli's try to lock it up once more at 25-25.

Will Collier then worked his way over with 15 minutes to go to put the visitors back in front, before Ford's drop goal sealed the deal.

Argentina – Tries: Joaquín Tuculet, Pablo Matera, Emiliano Boffelli. Conversions: Nicolás Sánchez (2). Penalties: Sánchez (2).
England – Tries: Charlie Ewels, Piers Francis, Danny Care, Will Collier. Conversions: George Ford (3). Penalties: Ford (2). Drop goal: Ford.

Argentina – 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Lucas Noguera Paz.
Subs: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Gonzalo Bertanou, 22 Juan Martín Hernández, 23 Matías Moroni.

England – 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Ellis Genge.
Subs: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Collier, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Denny Solomona.

Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

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