England player ratings

By James Standley

Iain Balshaw - 6:
For most of the match he was solid, if a little hesitant in possession, but the full-back exploded into life with a stunning solo try late on to give England some hope.

Paul Sackey - 6:
Beat four men to score a dazzling solo try but apart from that given little chance to shine before limping off after 53 minutes.

Jamie Noon - 4:
Always gives his all but the Newcastle man's skill levels are not those of an international outside centre and he was quiet throughout.

Anthony Allen - 4:
Exposed in defence, along with Hodgson, he made one lovely outside break but the errors continue to flow as he tries to get up to Test speed.

Ben Cohen - 6:
Rejuvenated. Had one powerful burst through midfield and although he lost the ball a couple of times he looked a threat every time he received a pass.

Charlie Hodgson - 3:
His continued inability to control matters when England are not dominating possession is a worry and he was taken off early in the second half.

Shaun Perry - 3:
Appalling defence around the fringes from the forwards saw Perry caught twice early on and he had a poor game before being hauled off after 47 minutes.

Perry Freshwater - 5:
Held his own in the scrum but never threatened to get on top of his opposite number and was anonymous in the loose.

George Chuter - 5:
Hit his jumpers at the line-out before being taken off in the second half and bright enough around the field but struggled to make any real dents.

Julian White - 5:
Made no impression on the Argentina scrum and was invisible in the loose, unless giving away silly penalties in his own half.

Danny Grewcock - 4:
Made one thumping early tackle but was not his usual ebullient self and was replaced early in the second half by Tom Palmer.

Ben Kay - 5:
The rejuvenated Leicester second-row was solid in the line-out and competed around the field but could never help England get the upper hand.

Martin Corry - 4:
Usually Mr Dependable, Corry made some silly errors, including butchering a second-half overlap, and was unable to raise his team when things went pear-shaped.

Lewis Moody - 5:
Committed and energetic as ever but he rarely threatened Argentina at the breakdown and doubts must remain as to whether he is an international open-side.

Pat Sanderson - 4:
His control and communication at the base of the scrum were very poor. Was a threat with ball in hand but is he really a number eight?

REPLACEMENTS:

Peter Richards - 5:
A live-wire presence but his pass can be a liability and his cumbersome two-step before release must be eliminated.

Tom Palmer - 5:
Replaced the veteran Grewcock to win his second cap but his arrival did little to energise England's supposedly top-notch tight five.

Toby Flood - 5:
Looked what he is - a callow youth. Virtually his first touch was to offer an interception try to Federico Todeschini, but his time will come.

Josh Lewsey - 6:
He at least injected a sense of purpose when he came on for the injured Sackey. A poor chip to start with but England need his leadership.

Lee Mears and Magnus Lund had too little time to make an impression.