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England wary of Argentina's 'X-Factor' at RWC

Kobe - England expect to face an Argentina side boasting both forward power and "X-factor" backs when they continue their Rugby World Cup campaign against the Pumas in Tokyo next weekend.

Eddie Jones's men, one of the pre-tournament favourites for the title, have enjoyed comfortable wins over second-string nations Tonga (35-3) and the United States (45-7) in their first two fixtures at Japan 2019.

But a sterner challenge should await them in the so-called 'group of death' when they face Argentina in Tokyo on Saturday, October 5.

After an agonising 23-21 loss to France in their Pool C opener, Argentina beat Tonga 28-12 in Osaka on Saturday.

Victory at the Hanazono Stadium was all but assured by a four-try salvo that yielded a bonus point inside 26 minutes, with Argentina hooker Julian Montoya scoring a hat-trick.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the Pumas' performance fell away from that point, with Tonga fullback Telusa Veainu scoring two tries for the Pacific islanders.

Argentina, however, had done enough and England forwards coach Steve Borthwick told reporters on Sunday: "In that first 30 minutes they delivered the performance they needed to win the game.

"They got the tries and had won the game by that point in time so it was a pretty professional performance."

Two of Montoya's tries came from lineouts, with a clever blindside play followed by a conventional catch and drive.

But while impressed by their set-piece form, Borthwick said there was more to 2007 and 2015 World Cup semi-finalists Argentina than scrum and line-out power.

"They have a very good forward pack," said former England captain Borthwick, a lock in his playing days.

"We know that and we've seen that over a period of time. Their scrum has improved from where it was which you would expect with a coach like (Mario) Ledesma now he has been there for a period and had a chance to address that.

"While Montoya played very well yesterday they have another outstanding hooker in (Agustin) Creevy who came on later in the game."

"Then they have some backs who have got the X-factor. (Nicolas) Sanchez and (Emiliano) Boffelli are two that spring to mind straight away," added Borthwick.

Both head coach Eddie Jones and long-time assistant Borthwick were due to travel to Tokyo to watch Australia's match against Wales on Sunday, with one of those teams likely to be England's quarter-final opponents should they reach the last eight.

Nevertheless, Borthwick insisted England's attention was firmly fixed on Argentina.

"We want to focus on improving on our recent performances and being the best team we can possibly be next Saturday," he said.

"We know that they are a very good side and we will be preparing accordingly."

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