England v Argentina LIVE: Result and reaction as England win Rugby World Cup 2023 third place play-off

Our primary focus is obviously on the action tonight, but it would be remiss of us not to at least touch on events to come tomorrow, and the rather major meeting of South Africa and New Zealand.

It’ll be a first final meeting between these two great rivals since that famous day in 1995. Luke Baker chronicles a transformative occasion.

Argentina will have been desperately disappointed not to have given a better account of themselves in their semi-final thrashing by New Zealand, second best in all areas as the All Blacks showed their class. But Michael Cheika seems to have charged up the Pumas for this game, while a number of his squad also remember the 2015 bronze final, when Argentina were well beaten by South Africa.

“I was there in 2015 and I remember that game (for third place) well,” number eight Facundo Isa said this week. “It was the second time Argentina had reached the semi-finals and to play for third place and we did not give it enough importance. Nowadays, with a different head, with coaches who push us to go for that, leaving aside what happened in the semifinals, we are going to go for it in this game.

“The difference with 2015 was that it was the second time we had reached that stage (bronze final) and after losing the semi-final with Australia, having played a great game, we fell away mentally. The team was not ready to face that last game.

“This is a new team and with several more experienced players. The team is prepared to fight in this last game. Physically and mentally, I think we are up to the task.”

Tonight will mark the end of the career of England’s most-capped male player, with Ben Youngs reaching retirement at the close of his 127th cap.

It’s been quite the journey for one of rugby’s nicest men.

England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) weren’t particularly happy with that decision, feeling that Curry had been denied a chance to have his side heard at a disciplinary hearing. Maro Itoje also stuck up for his “courageous” teammate and condemned those who had been sending abuse and threats both to the flanker and his family.

Much of the build-up to this game has, sadly, been overshadowed by Tom Curry’s allegation that South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi directed a racial slur at him during last week’s semi-final.

On Thursday, World Rugby concluded their investigation into the incident citing insufficient evidence.

No doubt it will be tough for the players to bounce back this evening, particularly for England given the manner of their defeat to South Africa.

“It’s hard,” back rower Ben Earl conceded this week. “I think we have got to lean on each other, we have to give those boys playing their last game for England the send-off they deserve. . It’s about parking what happened last weekend, which is easier said than done.

“I think you disrespect anyone who has worn an England shirt if you don’t give your best on Friday. I think what we are focusing on is preparing and performing. You want to go into the Six Nations with a bit of a bounce. To come home with a medal would be mega.”

Both sides, of course, would much rather have been playing tomorrow, but each has stressed that they will approach this game as they would any other contest to try and end their tournament with a victory.

But should they be playing at all? Not according to Luke Baker, who argues that the third place play-off is a relic of a different time and should be abolished....

A very good evening everyone, and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the penultimate game of the Rugby World Cup. It’s a battle for bronze at the Stade de France, with England and Argentina hoping to put semi-final disappointment behind them and sign off with a win.