Tom Curry won his 50th cap as England signed off their World Cup with a bronze final against Argentina.
The match marked the end of an eventful World Cup for the 25 year old Sale flanker who attended Bishop Heber School in Malpas.
Curry was sent off in the opening match and alleged to have been the victim of a racial slur during England’s semi-final defeat to eventual champions South Africa.
Owen Farrell led a team that saw Ben Youngs, the nation’s most capped men’s player, make his 127th and final appearance in a Red Rose jersey.
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The Stade de France showdown was a rematch of the rivals’ group opener in Marseille where England prevailed 27-10 despite Curry’s controversial third-minute red card.
England held their nerve to overcome Argentina’s determined fightback and finish the World Cup in third place with a tense 26-23 victory at the Stade de France.
Ben Earl and Theo Dan touched down but England will rue allowing a 13-0 lead to slip away, the Pumas clearly out to avenge their rout when the teams met in the pool stage seven weeks ago.
The remaining points for England in an arm-wrestle of a contest in which ‘Kamikaze Kids’ Tom Curry and Sam Underhill excelled were supplied by Owen
Farrell’s flawless kicking, which ultimately proved the difference between the sides.
England have now finished in the World Cup’s top three on five occasions, with only Saturday’s finalists New Zealand and South Africa managing more podium appearances.
Argentina were roared on by the neutrals in a 77,674 crowd and with only pockets of Red Rose supporters present, it was the most partisan atmosphere Steve Borthwick’s side have faced at the World Cup.
Farrell was booed repeatedly and Ben Youngs drew the same reaction when he jogged off with half an hour left, even though the nation’s most capped player was making his 127th and final appearance.
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