Eddie Jones’ England suffer familiar failings after another slow start

Defeat by Argentina means another campaign begins on the wrong foot as coach’s charges struggle to find cohesion

SLOW STARTERS: England's Owen Farrell and head coach Eddie Jones before the Autumn International match at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham. Pic: Ben Whitley/PA Wire

For all of England’s faults against Argentina on Sunday, perhaps it is the sense they are doing the same things over again and expecting different results which most maddens. Dim penalties conceded, little penetration in attack, a sluggishness that left Twickenham in a soggy stupor – all are criticisms aimed at Eddie Jones’ side before but England look no closer to fixing them with next year’s World Cup looming into view.

Indeed, beginning campaigns slowly has become a worrying trend. On top of the Argentina defeat, they lost their opening summer Test against Australia and to Scotland in round one of the Six Nations. Go back to the start of the 2021 championship and there was a limp defeat by Scotland at Twickenham; the year before that a loss in Paris. Victories have come against Tonga, the USA and Italy.