SPORTS
‘England’s Defeat is Not End Of World’
England’s performance against Argentina was scrappy and frustrating.
They were inaccurate in their handling and, not for the first time, one-dimensional in their tactical thinking.
But, there has to be some balance and perspective.
The defeat by the Pumas is not the end of the world.
It may even help the team’s trajectory towards the rest of the autumn, the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup next year.You could see from the start that England had a set idea about how the game was going to be played and the best way to win it.
They had seen the wet conditions and opted for low-risk rugby with the ball in hand. They trucked the ball up around the fringe with one-out runners, making use of their heavy-duty carriers.
Number eight Billy Vunipola had 15 carries, more than any other player. Prop Kyle Sinckler was not far behind on 12.
But it seemed to be an end in itself, rather than being used to open up space elsewhere.
Argentina’s team were perfectly suited to soaking up the wave of power attacks, with the likes of Marcos Kremer and Pablo Matera excellent.
There was plenty of ball and go forward, but England were inaccurate and lateral when it came to exploiting gaps elsewhere.
There was never a sniff of an overlap, you never felt the excitement of a wing being able to take on his opposite number.
That is at odds with how the club game has been going in the Premiership. Teams like Northampton, Saracens or Harlequins are ruthless at finding chinks in defences and making it count on the scoreboard.
If England were not going to be adventurous with the ball, it would have been better to play without it.
When they found they weren’t building enough of a cushion on the scoreboard, England could have switched up their kicking game.
Instead of looking to compete and regain the ball, they could have sacrificed possession for territory, kicked deep and asked Argentina if they could play out from deep in their half with a greasy ball.
That would create the chances for turnovers and penalties within sight of the line.
But, not for the first time, there was an inability to take the initiative and read the flow of the match mid-game.
England didn’t seem to be able to recognise the pressure they were coming under from the opposition and find a solution. They seemed to be waiting for instruction rather than taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
They had control of the game, but not the scoreboard and they sleepwalked into a dangerous situation where they were vulnerable to a lapse in concentration or a purple patch from the Pumas.
Coach Eddie Jones has talked about building resilience and adaptability. In September he visited US Navy Seals to learn about how they react to the unexpected and still get missions accomplished.
His England team still has some way to go on that.
Collectively it was a disappointing day, the result dictated that, but individually I think there were plus points.
Wing Joe Cokanasiga was the stand-out in the backs. He was busy, hungry for the ball, broke the line and linked well with his team-mates.
Debutant Alex Coles was dynamic and ran good, clever lines to get past that tight Argentine defence. His kick-off gathering was messy, but that was true of his team in general.
Overall it was a wake-up call to England. Mentally they didn’t look switched on enough, they were short of urgency and intensity.
This week, vice captain Ellis Genge has promised some “uncomfortable conversations” are going to take place ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Japan.
The Brave Blossoms will be another tricky opponent, New Zealand and South Africa will represent a step up.
At points in the game on Sunday, England looked like they needed someone inside the team to give them a verbal ‘kick up the backside’ to clear their heads and get them thinking clearly.
That defeat will have done the job just as well.
I’m not writing England off for this autumn, never mind the Six Nations or Rugby World Cup next year.
Matt Dawson was speaking to BBC Sport’s Mike Henson
Former players of Bayelsa United on Wednesday donated a set of jerseys to the club to support their preparations for the 2026/27 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
Presenting the jerseys to the club, leader of the players and former Chairman of Bayelsa United, Ebiki Timitimi, said the gesture was their little way of contributing to the club’s campaign in the NNL.
Timitimi said the former players remain committed to the growth and development of the club and appealed to critics to be constructive in their assessments.
“As ex-players of the club, we deemed it fit to support the team in our own little way.
We decided to give a set of jerseys to the club as they start their pre-season friendlies.“Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but we should criticise constructively by engaging the management to hear their side of the story before jumping to conclusions.
“Criticising them publicly without proper knowledge of the subject matter,” he added.
Receiving the jerseys on behalf of the Chairman, Peter Singabele and the Management Board, Godson Ekadi described the gesture as a significant show of solidarity from a key constituency of the club.
Ekadi said that the donation, the first major support from stakeholders ahead of the new season, will serve as a huge morale booster for the board, technical crew, and players.
“It is a wonderful statement that has been made today by the ex-players, because when you get support from your immediate constituency, it means that it’s going to be a wonderful season for us.
“Because this is the first gift we’re getting from stakeholders, and we’re calling on others to toe the line of the ex-players.
“It’s like our season has already started because of this gesture they have shown not only verbally, but also by giving a set of jerseys to the club,” he said.
He called on corporate organisations, stakeholders, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the state to emulate the ex-player
London City Lionesses defender Jana Fernandez has signed a new contract, keeping her at the club until 2029.
The 24-year-old has become a key player for Eder Maestre’s side since joining from Barcelona a year ago.
She played in every Women’s Super League match for London City last season as they finished sixth in their debut campaign in the top flight.
Her performances at right-back earned her the fans’ votes for club player of the season.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new contract here at London City,” said Fernandez.
“When I arrived in England one year ago I joined this club with dreams for the future.
“Potential, excitement and progress are three words I associate with the club and I’m pleased to commit my future. I feel at home and settled here.
“We are building something special together, as players, staff and fans, and I can’t wait to play my part.”
Before her move to England, Fernandez spent her career at Barcelona, graduating from their academy and becoming a five-time league champion.
She also won the Champions League and Copa de la Reina three times.
Fernandez was part of the Spain team that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
She has been joined at London City by former Barcelona team-mates Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner and Mapi Leon.
Under US billionaire owner Michele Kang, London City hoped to break into the WSL’s traditional top three and qualify for the Champions League.
Having attracted big names in the summer, it was crucial London City retained their other talent, and they have been able to do that with Fernandez and England winger Freya Godfrey committing their futures in recent months.
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their pre-game T-shirts ahead of Real Madrid’s match at Elche on Tuesday to obscure the message of support for the people of Ceuta.
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
Players from both sides walked on to the pitch at Elche’s ground, Martinez Valero, wearing white T-shirts carrying the message “Todos somos caballas” translated as “We are all Ceutans” along with references to the Spanish autonomous city.
While most of the players wore the shirts fully, Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate had theirs rolled up to around chest height, obscuring some of the slogan.
Mbappe and Vinicius then removed their shirts before the pre-match handshake, while Konate kept his on for longer. Their team-mates and the Elche players continued to wear the shirts through the pre-match formalities.
This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.
The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, following a major migration crisis in the Spanish territory after thousands of people entered from Morocco.
At least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.
Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest in the autonomous Spanish city in North Africa.
Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.
The representatives of the players have been asked for comment.
The episode came shortly before a dramatic night for Real Madrid, who recovered from surrendering a two-goal lead to beat Elche 3-2, with Carlos Espi scoring the winner in stoppage time.
Mbappe was among Madrid’s scorers, while Vinicius started the game.
The pre-match gesture also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.
Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, while players at other La Liga fixtures had worn the shirts as intended.
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