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England full back Freddie Steward has revealed that a desire to not let down defence coach Kevin Sinfield in part inspired a defensive turnaround in their World Cup win against Argentina.<\/p>\n
Steve Borthwick\u2019s side got their tournament off to an excellent start in Marseille, recovering from the early dismissal of Tom Curry to secure a vital 27-10 victory.<\/p>\n
While a commanding display with the boot from George Ford, who kicked six penalties and three drop goals, led the way for England, the win was also built on a fine 14-man defensive performance that suffocated the Pumas.<\/p>\n
It took Argentina 75 minutes to add to Emiliano Boffelli\u2019s fifth minute penalty despite their numerical advantage, with Pedro Rubiolo crashing over in the final moments with England\u2019s win already secure.<\/p>\n
A spirited and, Curry\u2019s challenge aside, largely error free performance was a far cry from the final warm-up fixture against Fiji, where England dropped off nearly 30 tackles and struggled to slow the Pacific Islanders\u2019 ball.<\/p>\n
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And Steward has revealed a few stern words from Sinfield, appointed as defence coach and Borthwick\u2019s key lieutenant last December, after that showing also helped bring about a significant improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got a bit of a rocket after that game,\u201d conceded Steward, who previously worked with the rugby league legend at Leicester. \u201cThere were no complaints about that, it needed to happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a very thorough review, which we needed, and I think we reaped the benefits out there [against Argentina]. That was necessary for that to happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cKev [Kevin Sinfield] is big on covering each other\u2019s backs. That\u2019s his big thing. He wants a defensive unit that are going to work incredibly hard for each other and, when it goes wrong, cover up for each other.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat\u2019s what makes Kev such a good defence coach, he\u2019s so inspiring. He motivates us so much and he\u2019s the sort of bloke you don\u2019t want to let down. That\u2019s testament to him as a bloke. When you go out there, part of it is you do it for him. You don\u2019t want to see a guy like that who puts his heart and soul into us in his work with his defence feel let down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steward had only a single tackle to make in Marseille, with England\u2019s frontline defenders preventing a dangerous Argentina side finding any sort of rhythm.<\/p>\n
The Pumas had been expected to be England\u2019s toughest test in Pool D, but lacked accuracy and direction to exploit their opponents.<\/p>\n
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England defended strongly in Marseille <\/p>\n
Sinfield said he was pleased to see his side develop defensively, though admitted to a degree of frustration over the late concession of Rubiolo\u2019s score.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pleased but I\u2019m also really disappointed with that final passage,\u201d the England defence coach said. \u201cI\u2019d have loved to keep them to zero tries. To do that against a world class team like Argentina would have sent a message out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big message was we have to be better. The boys have been excellent. I\u2019ve really enjoyed working with them, but we\u2019d not seen the transfer. Thankfully we started to see some of that on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw lots of what we had seen in training, which\u00a0is pleasing but I still feel there is so much in this team, so much improvement, so much growth. To get the win, given the noise that has been around us, the way the group have really circled the wagons \u2013 metaphorically that is \u2013 is really pleasing. We saw a fight, a spirit and attitude that, the people at home supporting us and in the ground last night would have loved to have seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
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England next take on Japan in Nice on Sunday 17 September. Jamie Joseph\u2019s side, quarter-finalists four years ago, opened their tournament with a bonus point win over Chile.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a big ball movement team,\u201d Sinfield said of the threat posed by Japan. \u201cWe know they will bring some different challenges with how they move the ball. They have got some big men. They have got some power. They have got some pace, but they are a very skillful team. It will be another challenge for us.\u201d <\/p>\n