On Sunday, November 23, 2025, England will host Argentina at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London, in the final match of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series — a clash that could cement England’s place among rugby’s elite and test Argentina’s astonishing rise. With captain Maro Itoje leading a side riding an 11-match winning streak, and head coach Steve Borthwick pushing for a top-three world ranking by year’s end, this isn’t just another international fixture. It’s a statement game — and Argentina, fresh off beating New Zealand, Australia, and the British & Irish Lions, are here to make noise.
England’s Machine: Precision, Power, and the Bomb Squad
England’s run this year hasn’t been luck. It’s been methodical. After dismantling New Zealand 31-24 in a thriller last month, Borthwick’s team has become the most consistent force in world rugby. Their tactical blueprint? Borrowing South Africa’s "Bomb Squad" — rotating forwards with surgical precision to maintain pressure in the final 20 minutes. The result? Opponents tire. England wins. In their last three Tests, they’ve averaged 18 points in the last quarter. Against Australia, they racked up nine line breaks. Against New Zealand, nine again. And they’re the highest-kicking team in Tier One rugby this year — not just to clear space, but to pin opponents deep, draining morale and minutes.George Ford and Ellis Genge, named vice-captains, bring veteran composure. Ford’s boot has been lethal under pressure; Genge’s scrum has been the bedrock. Even the bench has been a weapon: Max Jomo, set to earn his second cap after replacing the late withdrawal Dingwall, is a physical enforcer with a point to prove.
Argentina’s Rebirth: From Underdogs to Threat
Don’t let the scoreboard fool you. Argentina didn’t just beat Scotland 33-24 at Murrayfield — they rewrote their identity. Trailing 24-0 after 12 minutes, with Scotland down to 14 men, the Pumas didn’t panic. Captain Kuran Montoya threw a lifeline with a penalty, then Ignacio Ruiz crashed over for a try that sparked a 33-point avalanche. That game wasn’t a fluke. It was the culmination of a 12-month surge: victories over the Lions, New Zealand, and Australia. Their lineup features Delgado at tight head, Petty and Rubio in the second row — a pack built for chaos and counterattack.They’ve gone from being the team you hoped would lose to the one you fear. Their scrum-half pairing, their lineout execution, their willingness to run from deep — it’s all sharper. And they’ve done it without Mattel Cetas, a key starter left out for tactical reasons. That’s depth. That’s confidence.
The Bigger Picture: A Series That Changed Everything
The Quilter Nations Series wasn’t just a curtain-raiser for 2026’s Nations Championship — it was a proving ground. And the results have shifted the North vs. South debate from theory to reality. Scotland, meanwhile, closed their campaign with a brutal 56-0 demolition of Tonga at Scottish Gas Murrayfield — eight tries, zero points conceded. The crowd of 60,000 stayed past 5 p.m. to watch England vs. Argentina on big screens, a testament to the growing appetite for global rugby.Tonga, despite their losses — including a 30-16 win over Samoa in August — remain dangerous. Their 2023 World Cup loss to Scotland (45-17) was a wake-up call. Now, they’re rebuilding. But this weekend, the spotlight belongs to England and Argentina.
Why This Match Matters Beyond the Scoreline
If England win, they’ll finish 2025 ranked No. 2 or No. 3 — their highest finish since 2019. It’s a psychological boost ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle. For Argentina, a win would make them the first southern hemisphere team to beat England in London since 2012. It would also mean they’ve defeated all three major northern hemisphere sides (England, Scotland, Ireland) and the Lions in a single calendar year — a feat no team has achieved since New Zealand in 2018.The officials reflect the global nature of the game: French referee Pierre Brousset, Georgian assistant Nika Amashukeli, and Scottish assistant Sam Grove-White — a trio with over 400 international matches between them. And Eric Gauzins will oversee the TMO, ensuring no try escapes scrutiny.
What Comes Next?
With the Quilter Nations Series over, the focus shifts to the 2026 Nations Championship — a new global tournament replacing the old autumn internationals. England and Argentina will be front and center. But for now, Twickenham holds its breath. The stands will be packed. The air will crackle. And if Argentina can replicate their Murrayfield magic, they might just end England’s streak — and rewrite the narrative of world rugby.Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is England’s 11-match winning streak in rugby history?
England’s current 11-match win streak is their longest since 2003, when they won 12 straight en route to World Cup glory. Only New Zealand (2015-2016, 18 wins) and South Africa (2004-2005, 17 wins) have posted longer streaks in the professional era. This run includes wins over three of the top four ranked teams — New Zealand, Australia, and the Lions — making it one of the most impressive in the last 20 years.
Why is Argentina considered a bigger threat now than in past years?
Argentina’s recent wins over New Zealand, Australia, and the British & Irish Lions — all in the last 12 months — mark a seismic shift. Historically, they struggled to beat Tier One teams outside their home turf. Now, they’re winning in Dublin, Cardiff, and Edinburgh. Their scrum-half partnership, tactical kicking, and improved lineout defense have closed the gap with the traditional powers. They’re no longer just competitive — they’re contenders.
What role does the "Bomb Squad" strategy play in England’s success?
England’s "Bomb Squad" — rotating four front-row forwards and two back-rowers — keeps their set-piece dominant and their physicality high late in games. In matches against New Zealand and Australia, England’s bench forwards averaged 12% more carries and 18% more tackles in the final 20 minutes than their starters. This tactic has turned close games into wins, exploiting opponents’ fatigue. It’s now a core part of their identity.
How did Scotland’s 56-0 win over Tonga impact the series narrative?
Scotland’s dominant performance underscored the growing gap between Tier One and emerging nations — but also highlighted the depth of talent in the northern hemisphere. Eight tries, zero points conceded, and a crowd of 60,000 staying past 5 p.m. to watch England vs. Argentina showed how the Quilter Series elevated public interest. It also gave Scotland momentum heading into 2026, even as they exited the tournament.
What’s at stake for Argentina if they beat England?
A win would make Argentina the first team since South Africa in 2019 to defeat England, New Zealand, Australia, and the Lions in a single calendar year. It would also be their first victory over England in London since 2012. More than rankings, it would signal that Argentina is no longer a team to be respected — but feared. Their World Cup ambitions would leap from "possible" to "probable."
How does the upcoming Nations Championship change international rugby?
The 2026 Nations Championship replaces the traditional autumn internationals with a structured, year-round global league featuring 12 top teams. Matches will be spread across continents, with home-and-away fixtures. This means fewer "friendly" games and more high-stakes contests. England and Argentina will now meet twice a year — not once. The Quilter Series was the last of the old guard. What comes next will be more intense, more global, and more unpredictable.