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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Parsons

‘Hopeless’ England slammed as Argentina win at Twickenham for first time since 2006

Humbled England were blasted as 'hopeless' by supporters after their autumn campaign got off to a disastrous start against an inspired Argentina.

Eddie Jones' poor side were beaten 30-29 by the Pumas - who secured their first victory at Twickenham since 2006. Pumas wing Emiliano Boffelli was the difference maker, registering 25 points as Michael Cheika's men celebrated only their second away win over England.

Argentina had stunned New Zealand with a historic victory in August, but this was still expected to be a routine start for England after their opponents finished bottom of the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship. Instead, England's performance was littered with errors in what proved to be an unconvincing dress-rehearsal for next year's World Cup group stage clash against the Pumas in Marseille.

Argentina boss Cheika had spent most of his week with Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup and victory will be sweet over his old friend Jones. England had led 16-12 at half-time, but lacked discipline and were impotent in attack.

Edinburgh star Boffelli punished the Red Rose with the boot and scored a fine try before Santiago Carreras crossed to complete the turnaround after the break. Jack van Poortvliet provided a rare burst of energy to fly over after Joe Cokanasiga's powerful first half score, but this was a drab showing on a sodden surface that left an 80,000-strong crowd exasperated.

England had no answer after Boffelli's penalty edged the Pumas into the lead with 10 minutes to go, and concerns are growing over next year's World Cup prospects in France after such a sobering result.

Fans expressed their frustration in their droves on social media after Jones' lacklustre side were deserved losers in their opening autumn Test. "Argentina deserved it," one fan noted. "This team is hopeless under Eddie. No attack at all."

"No clue in attack," another agreed after England struggled to unpick the lock of a tight and aggressive Puma defence. "England got what they deserved," one fan bluntly asserted.

There were also calls for coach Jones to be sacked under a year before the World Cup. "Eddie Jones is clueless, he has to go," one disillusioned fan stated. "Jones should have been removed as England coach a long time ago," another claimed.

Perhaps what is most concerning for Jones is that England's toughest tests in the autumn are yet to come. New Zealand, who outclassed Wales in Cardiff, and world champions South Africa await at Twickenham after next week's fixture against Japan.

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