Fin Smith has acknowledged that England must urgently address their discipline issues to realize their ambitions of becoming a dominant force in international rugby. Following their 31-24 victory over Argentina in Santiago del Estero, England's total of yellow cards for 2026 has now reached 15 across eight Tests, with four shown during this latest match.

In a game marred by penalties, England lost the penalty count 15-6, conceding a penalty try and facing moments where they played with just 13 men. Despite these challenges, the team managed to secure a win, marking a triumphant end to their July tour.

Head coach Steve Borthwick defended the team against criticisms, referring to the detractors as the “negativity committee.” However, Smith emphasized the pressing need for improvement in discipline. He expressed frustration at the frequency with which they find themselves down players, stating:

"It’s frustrating because we’re a very good team when we have 15 men on the pitch."

Smith highlighted that about 25-30% of his recent games have seen him play without a full squad, complicating their ability to showcase their best performance. He noted that many yellow cards resulted from penalties within their own 22, suggesting a need for better defensive strategies.

As England wraps up the first phase of the Nations Championship with two wins from three Tests, they remain in contention for the competition’s final on November 29. Under Borthwick’s leadership, their win rate stands at 58%, yet Smith insists that the expectation is to win every match.

He stated, "Expectation comes with being an England rugby player... there’s no reason we shouldn’t be a powerhouse in international rugby and winning every week."