Ollie Phillips: Argentina are a potential banana skin, but exactly the kind of test England need

England captain Owen Farrell (R) chats with fly-half George Ford (L) at a training session in Tokyo on October 1, 2019, during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

England are in good form and their World Cup has been wholly positive so far, but Saturday’s game against Argentina definitely represents a banana skin.

Eddie Jones’s side have enjoyed plain sailing in Pool C, comfortably beating Tonga and the USA, and on paper the No10-ranked team should be no different.

However, they haven’t been tested yet in Japan and the Pumas can be dangerous because of their situation. Mario Ledesma’s side are in the last chance saloon, needing to win, and their passion and quality makes them the hardest group game in my opinion. 

Read more: Set piece specialists Argentina promise “war” against England

Argentina will throw the kitchen sink at England in Tokyo. They will fly into breakdowns, turn it into a dogfight and do everything they can do to disrupt their opponent’s game. 

The line-out is their biggest weapon and I expect them to also target England aerially with high kicks and strong chases. 

England's players take part in a training session in Tokyo on October 1, 2019, during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
Argentina will provide England will a physical game in Tokyo (Getty Images)

Ledesma’s side may be on the ropes, but in reality it’s only been one poor half against France that’s cost them. They shouldn’t be underestimated. 

I think the fact Argentina’s best club side, the Jaguares, got to the final of the 2019 Super Rugby season in July may have affected them, as most of their players didn’t have a decent break. But potential fatigue counts for little on Saturday; it’s a knockout game for the Pumas and a unique challenge for England.

Momentum building 

I actually think that, in the long run, this type of game is exactly what England need. They’ve coasted so far and, having enjoyed a 10-day break, they can now step it up and begin to pick up momentum. 

The key to their form is George Ford, who has been superb at fly-half. Right now I’d have him at No10 every day over Owen Farrell, who has slotted in at inside-centre. 

Ford is galvanising the back line, playing confidently and flat, which is releasing those behind him. Anthony Watson, in particular, has been electric.

England's wing Jack Nowell (R) and wing Anthony Watson (L) take part in a training in Tokyo on October 2, 2019, during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Watson and Jack Nowell are both back from injury for England (Getty Images)

The Bath winger has come back from two Achilles injuries in such a short space of time and rediscovered his razor-sharp best. The depth in the backs is such that Jonathan Joseph, who played really well against the USA, can’t even make the squad. 

Flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill are reunited in a bid to dominate the breakdown, while Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Manu Tuilagi offer the ball-carrying destruction. 

George Kruis replaces Courtney Lawes from the Tonga game and I think that’s because he’s the master tactician at the line-out, where he can upset Argentina’s biggest strength.

Encouragingly Mako Vunipola, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell are all fit enough for the bench after injuries and if all goes to plan they can get a taster of the World Cup in an ideal situation – intense, but not do or die. 

If England are going to win the World Cup, this is a good game in which to lay down a marker.

Former England Sevens captain Ollie Phillips is a director within the real estate & construction team at PwC and founder of Optimist Performance. Follow Ollie on Twitter and on LinkedIn

Main image credit: Getty Images