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Rugby News

Tigers duo shine for England in Tokyo

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Leicester Tigers duo George Ford and Jonny May, who both crossed for tries in England’s 39-10 defeat of Argentina at Tokyo Stadium in Pool C of the Rugby World Cup.

Ford was voted the fans’ man of the match, for the second successive match, for his starring role in the No10 shirt and said the squad was “happy” with their performance.

"We are happy with the result,” said Ford.

However the Tigers fly-half admitted there was room for improvement with one Pool fixture remaining, against France on October 12, despite being the first nation to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“As always, there are areas we can get better at, but that is the exciting thing because we can get better,” he added.

"We probably lost our way a little bit in terms of building pressure but I thought we got it back at the start of the second half and we finished well.

"We wanted to play to our strengths a bit more and not get seduced by the space too much and, at the start of the second half, we did that."

His club-mate, who missed the second outing against the USA, was a shining light on the wing for England and crossed for a crucial try in the first-half of the eventual 29-point victory.

Speaking after the match, May said the squad – who have now firmed as one of the favourites to win the World Cup – were in a “good spot” approaching the knockout stages.

"We’re in a good spot as a team, we want to keep on getting better and now the focus turns to France next weekend,” said May.

"The try before half time was crucial, and our defence was tight again but we are where we want to be and that is three bonus point wins from our three games.

"We will have a rest tonight, spend some time with our families and then recover and get on to preparing for France."

England now face France in their final Pool C fixture of the 2019 tournament on Saturday, October 12 in Yokohama City which is set to decide who will finish atop the group moving in to the knockout stages.

Tigers supporters can watch the match ahead of the club’s Premiership Rugby Cup fixture against arch-rivals Northampton Saints at Welford Road in the Final Whistle Bar at Leicester’s home ground.

The event is FREE to attend with registration available online here.