Argentina host England in Nations Championship seeking to end losing streak

Argentina and England face off in Santiago del Estero on Saturday as part of the inaugural Nations Championship, with the Pumas looking to overturn a historical imbalance in the fixture. The match kicks off at 8pm BST and marks the third weekend of the new competition.

The rugby rivalry between these two nations has been starkly one-sided. In 30 Tests dating back to 1981, England have won 24, Argentina five, with one draw. The Pumas' last victory over England came in 2009, and they have lost the subsequent six meetings.

Historical dominance

England have also won all five Rugby World Cup encounters between the sides, most recently in the pool stage of the 2023 tournament and a third-place play-off the same year. Despite Argentina's growth as a rugby nation — reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2015 and securing wins over New Zealand and South Africa in recent years — England remain a stumbling block.

• England have won 24 of 30 Tests against Argentina.
• Argentina's last win over England was in 2009.
• England have won all five World Cup matches between the sides.
• The Pumas have beaten New Zealand and South Africa home and away since 2020.

For Argentina, this match is an opportunity to prove their progress on the global stage by finally overcoming a historic rival. England, meanwhile, will aim to maintain their stronghold and build momentum following a recent thrashing of Fiji that snapped a five-match losing run.

The Nations Championship, a new competition featuring teams from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, provides added context as both sides seek to establish early dominance in the inaugural edition. Saturday's result could shape the trajectory of their campaigns.