England delivered a statement performance to subdue the Pumas 27-10 in Marseille on Saturday, washing away their depressing three defeats in 4 matches from August.

Defence coach Sinfield hailed the staff for restoring two of Steve Borthwick’s manifesto pledges: combat and spirit seen at least.

Head coach Borthwick had stopped citing these qualities throughout a dispiriting warm-up programme, comprising damaging defeats by Wales, Ireland and Fiji.

But now Sinfield believes these attributes are again, after George Ford’s three drop objectives and 6 penalties handed England the best begin on the Stade Velodrome.

England’s solely copybook blot was the high-tackle pink card for Tom Curry, who now faces a disciplinary hearing in Paris on Tuesday night, the place his sending off could be contested.

“I think we showed a bit of what we’re about, but I still feel there’s loads of improvement in us,” stated Sinfield. “I still think there is more in us.

“It was pleasing to see some aspects really improve, but I think probably more so for the players. We need to ensure we get more of that, and keep moving forward in each of our training sessions to put our best foot forward.

“We knew that performance was coming, and to have to do the vast majority of it with 14 men shows the fight and the spirit that we have spoken about for some time now. That hadn’t transferred onto the field for us before.

“So, we knew it was going to be a challenging game for us, we also knew that Argentina are a fantastic team, and are going to cause some teams some real issues at this World Cup. But we got through it, and we took a step forward.

“I was disappointed for us to concede the try at the end, but I thought overall we put in a really professional job.”

England will now face Japan in Nice on Sunday, with designs on topping a pool additionally containing Samoa and World Cup debutants Chile.

Ford dominated against Argentina, together with his three drop objectives in seven first-half minutes turning the sport in favour of 14-man England.

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Sinfield was working the tee onto the sphere for Ford, so had a close-up view of the Sale star’s superlative efficiency.

“I thought it was a masterclass, he really grabbed hold of the game for us,” stated Sinfield. “I thought he was faultless with the boot. I think he brings a calmness to us.

“You want your leaders to step up in a variety of different ways in big games, and George certainly did that.

“I think his relationship and partnership with Freddie Steward at the back was special as well, in a different way.

“I know we’ve discussed Marcus Smith and his role as a 15 for us, but I thought the pair of them were outstanding.”