Much more of this and Eddie Jones’ England team will achieve something that not even the fabled team of the Clive Woodward managed to nail. A win against Australia on Saturday would see Jones’ men finish 2016 with 13 victories out of 13 without a blot on their copybook and winning every game in a calendar year.

Woodward’s team should have gone unbeaten in 2003, their year of years, but for a single point defeat to France in World Cup warm-up match when the-then coach put out a second-string line-up.

The latest instalment for Jones came courtesy of a two-try win over the Pumas when England were down to 14 men for 75 minutes, thanks to Elliot Daly’s early departure for a dangerous tackle on Argentina No.8 Leonardo Senatore, and 13 men when they had Dan Cole and Joe Marler in the bin.

In 2003, in Wellington, England famously repelled the All Blacks when they were two men short – Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back were in the cooler – and recorded a two-point victory. That showed they really meant business, as they were to prove a few months later in Sydney, and maybe this lot do as well.

Not that you would get Jones, who as then-Australia coach was hammered by England the next week in Melbourne, admitting that his side are anywhere near the vintage of 13 years ago.

“That was pretty remarkable,” said Jones. “I remember watching that on TV and the following week we got absolutely belted by them. It’s not New Zealand but this was an appreciable step forward for us.

“When do you get an opportunity to win a test match with 14 men at Twickenham with 81,000 against a very good team - you do something that people don’t get to do. Now they’ve got this special piece of history. They look around the dressing-room and they know the faces that have done something that most people don’t get to do. And they’ve done it.”

Woodward’s team was full of leaders with Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Will Greenwood, Back and Dallaglio all helping to steer the ship in times of crisis.

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

Fast forward 13 years and it was captain Dylan Hartley, Owen Farrell and George Ford who had an on-field chat as soon it was obvious Daly was in hot water. England were 3-0 up at the time of Daly’s card and 20 minutes later the gap was 16 points.

“As soon as the Elliot incident happened we knew what was coming,” said Hartley. “We obviously hoped for a yellow but we kind of knew red was coming. We had a quick chat, we had to change things there and then on the field and I think we adapted very well. We went on to score 13 unanswered points and we got a good bit of control in the game. They were a good attacking threat and I think they showed that but we learned a lot about ourselves today, we adapted well and we’re very happy.”

England put in a defiant performance to hold off the Pumas at Twickenham (Getty)

England played it smart, covering the space where Daly should have been, and played it streetwise by slowing the game down and not rushing to set-pieces.

Chris Robshaw got the man of the match award for a captain’s performance now he is no longer captain and Courtney Lawes and the returning George Kruis stuck their hands up.

Hartley added: “As ever with Chris, it was just head down, grafting, working – doing a lot of the dog work none of us see. If there was a day we needed a dog, it was today. There were 14 others out there as well but Robbo I’m sure will be happy to take the champagne home.”

Argentina hit back with tries either side of the break but Farrell’s boot settled England nerves as they dodged a bullet against uncompromising opponents. Argentina might not be the All Blacks, as Jones was quick to point out, but comparisons of his team with Woodward’s are starting to become almost realistic.

Scorers:

England: Tries: Penalty try, May; Con: Farrell; Pens: Farrell (5)