As a player who has emerged from the wilderness, and looks like he’s spent a fair bit of time in it too, Tom Wood’s recent recall to the England squad has handed the flanker a golden opportunity to get his international career back on track.

Wood’s future in the red and white jersey had looked in severe jeopardy when the 30-year-old revealed that coach Eddie Jones had described him as “distinctly average” when they spoke in January. Unsurprisingly, the player was subsequently shunned by Jones who left the one-time England captain out of his 2016 Six Nations squad and continued to overlook him for the historic series victory against Australia in June.

But with injuries to the likes of James Haskell, Jack Clifford, Sam Jones and Maro Itoje, Jones has found himself with little option but to turn to the Saints man. Not that he turns to a man of inexperience or inability, however.

The flanker featured in both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and was a constant presence under Stuart Lancaster’s tenure. At 30 years of age, he may lack the dynamism, pace and power of his fellow backrowers, but in a team sprinkled with youth, Wood’s experience helps bring a level-headedness to a team that, in spite of it’s recent renaissance under Jones, still has a lot to learn.

England vs Argentina player ratings Show all 15 1 /15 England vs Argentina player ratings England vs Argentina player ratings Mike Brown – 6 out of 10 His day ended prematurely when he landed head-first after claiming a high Landajo kick. There was no need for an HIA as he was knocked unconscious, and replaced for the rest of the rest of the game by Semesa Rokoduguni. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10 Moved to full-back upon Brown’s departure and while it gave him more space to run in, he wasn’t able to use it. One counter-attack that looked to have legs quickly ended when he passed behind the four men outside him. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Jonathan Joseph – 6 out of 10 Alert enough to snaffle a loose ball that led to a penalty for England, which Ford turned into three points. Looked the livelier of the two centres, but then that didn’t say a lot. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Henry Slade – 6 out of 10 One nice chip in behind the Argentine defence proved the highlight, but he aimlessly kicked the ball away soon after half-time and when he had Hughes outside him in space, he threw the ball a long, long way forward. Not the display he will have wanted. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Elliot Daly – 6 out of 10 Starved of ball in space and didn’t have an awful lot to do. Saw one chance go begging as Watson kicked possession away when he was outside in space. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings George Ford – 6 out of 10 The Twickenham faithful will have feared the worst when his first kick at goal struck the upright, but he soon settled with the boot. His play with the ball in hand was much better, and his pass for Hughes’ try displayed great awareness and execution. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10 Couldn’t link up with Ford as well as we’ve seen in recent times at Welford Road, and kicked possession away far too often in the first 30 minutes. His voice could be heard barking the defensive orders, Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Mako Vunipola – 7 out of 10 Sent backwards and up by Nahuel Tataz Chaparro in one first-half scrum, but his carrying was very good as he burst a couple of tackles in the first period. Found his feet soon after and shored up the scrum, and could be happy with his showing. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Dylan Hartley – 6 out of 10 His normal reliable self in the lineout, but lost the ball in one carry when he was double-tackled low. Defensively he was reliable though, and departed on the hour for Jamie George, much to the crowds’ delight. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Dan Cole – 6 out of 10 Penalised midway through the first half that Juan Martin Hernandez failed to turn into three points. His side of the scrum was rock-steady until he lost his binding just shy of the hour mark, and after a couple of good carries he was replaced by Harry Williams 12 minutes from time. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Courtney Lawes – 7 out of 10 Lovely pass in the first half put Robshaw into space, with the forwards linking well out wide. Good work rate and carrying, and he made a point of getting around the park in support of the backs. He also did well to wrap up Argentinian ball in the maul, which saved England’s line late on. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings George Kruis – 6 out of 10 Ran the lineout to his usual high standards, but will have been disappointed to see the driving maul malfunction when on the Argentine try line. Replaced soon after by Joe Launchbury. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Chris Robshaw – 7 out of 10 Another of England’s more prevalent figures with his defensive work-rate. Looked to have a bit of niggle in his game, which is unusual, but he contributed to the defensive cause magnificently. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Sam Underhill – 8 out of 10 A flying start to his Twickenham debut. A ferocious tackler who has mastered the art of going low, and his technique should be shown up and down the country on Sunday morning to all aspiring young rugby players. Shuddering tackle on Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias early-on set the tone, although sometimes he was a little too over-eager and conceded a couple of penalties for a no-arm tackle and being off his feet. Still, he was the best performer out there by far. Getty England vs Argentina player ratings Nathan Hughes – 7 out of 10 Excellent reactions to catch Ford’s long pass, juggling it off his shoulder, before running a good line to score one-handed. Carried strongly all game until he was replaced by debutant Sam Simmonds for the final 10 minutes. Getty

As with his performance against South Africa two weekends ago, Wood looked reliable and assured against Argentina on Saturday at Twickenham. Leaving the the carrying to bigger, stronger players, Wood was at his best down on the deck putting in the dirty work.

His first big tackle came in the 21st minute as he swooped in low to bring the marauding Matias Moroni down to the ground just inside England’s own half. It was well-timed and well-executed, taking away the Argentine’s feet from beneath him, and allowed Billy Vunipola to get down low to force the penalty.

Five minutes later, Wood was back at it. England’s George Kris blocked Tomas Cubelli’s box-kick inside the Pumas’ own 22, with the ball falling favourably to Pablo Matera. Before he had time to turn, Wood pounced and smothered the Argentine with a powerful tackle to prove that he still retains a razor-sharp reading of the game.

This understanding was similarly reflected in his positioning. Indeed, for England’s penalty-try it was Wood who had been the intended recipient of Billy Vunipola’s short pass down on the left-hand side touchline. Had the pass been completed, and not knocked down mid-flight, Wood would have been over for the try. As should be with an open-side flanker, the 30-year-old was here, there and everywhere as a resilient England side dug deep against the visitors.

After being briefly withdrawn to make way for Kyle Sinckler, who stepped in for the sin-binned Dan Cole, Wood returned in the second half with aplomb. On the 65 minute mark, the flanker latched onto the felled Pablo Matera just outside of the Pumas’ 22 to force the penalty and set Owen Farrell up for a kick between the sticks.

Of course, aspects of Woods’ game were off the mark with his fitness letting him down at times. As the game wore on he was guilty of lagging behind the pace of play and missed a notable tackle in the centre of the park which enabled the visitors to mount a dangerous attack. Although his handling was on point for Jonny May’s try, he later dropped the ball with four minutes left on the clock to cut dead a promising English charge down the left-flank.

Prior to Saturday’s game, Wood had remarked that he felt there was a “buzz” and “confidence” to the English game. Given the side’s resilience and resolve to survive with 14 men following Elliot Daly’s dismissal in the fifth minute, clearly Jones’ men are not a side short on confidence. The same can be said about Wood. To give him credit, there was a certain “buzz” to his own game; a hunger and passion to prove his worth to the side.