England boss Eddie Jones warns Argentina games will become tighter as he looks to wrap up series win in South America
England won first game 38-34 as both teams ignored defensive work but Jones reckons things will be different in second
EDDIE JONES reckons England will have to work up a thirst to beat Argentina tonight.
A victory would give Jones’ men a 2-0 series win after they edged last week’s action-packed match in San Juan 38-34.
That game had eight tries — four for each side — as both teams fell off tackles and left gaping holes in defence as it turned into a free-for-all.
But Jones has warned his side they will have to roll up their sleeves against the Pumas if they are to sign off their tour on a high.
The Red Rose boss said: “I think it might be a bit of a slugathon. It is very rare that you get two games the same.
“It is like drinking a beer — the first beer never tastes the same as the second beer and the third beer never tastes the same as the second one. Rugby is the same.
“The second game is generally never like the first game. If the first game has been open, the second game has been tighter, so we are prepared for both. We have got a good attitude in our team. We want to become a very adaptable team.
“We want to be able to play both ways — if we have to slug it out or if we have to play in an open affair like it was last week.”
Most Read In Sport
Chris Robshaw is back for England after an ankle injury while Blues’ Northampton-bound centre Piers Francis and new Bath back-row Sam Underhill have been promoted to the starting XV.
Underhill’s debut means Jones will have capped 11 players on this trip.
He has now named 62 in total, including players who were picked for the British Lions and those he lost to injury. Jones must slash that number to 31 for the next World Cup.
Robshaw said: “Rather him than me doing that kind of role. That’s why he’s the man in charge, he makes the tough calls and he does what he deems is best for the side.
“You can’t really question him. The calls he’s made so far have been pretty spot on. We do have that quality in depth. We don’t just have numbers, we have very good players in those positions.
“For us to be successful over the next two years and beyond, it’s about that depth coming through.”
Captain Dylan Hartley will earn his 86th England cap tonight, with only Jonny Wilkinson (91) and Jason Leonard (114) ahead of him.
And the Northampton hooker is determined to make sure it will be a night to remember.
He said: “It is easy at this time of year to have half the squad not playing and thinking about going on holidays.
“But I know the squad are fighting to really drive the starting XV and get that final result. We want one final push to get what we came for — a 2-0 series win.”