Alex Mitchell and Jonny May handed England begins in World Cup opener
The Northampton scrum-half was omitted from England’s preliminary 33-man World Cup squad, however was drafted straight again in after Jack van Poortvliet’s ankle harm.
Now the 26-year-old has leapfrogged veteran duo Danny Care and Ben Youngs, to begin England’s pivotal Pool D opener on the Stade Velodrome.
Mitchell affords speedy and high-quality service from the bottom of the breakdown, and England will look to capitalise on that when bidding to get again to type after six defeats in 9 matches.
Jonny May has additionally are available from the chilly to begin on the wing, one other to have missed out on the unique squad choice. The Gloucester flier was recalled within the wake of the luckless Anthony Watson’s calf harm.
The 33-year-old has pressured his method into the beginning XV to tackle the Pumas forward of Max Malins and Henry Arundell.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has made two daring calls in selling each Mitchell and May, deciding on on type from the ultimate warm-up matches and coaching in Le Touquet earlier this week.
England arrived in Marseille on Thursday afternoon, and can gear as much as face Argentina in sweltering situations within the historic port metropolis.
Tempo booster: Alex Mitchell will get the nod at scrum-half for England in opposition to Argentina
/ Getty Images“With an excellent week of preparation in Le Touquet, the players are now looking forward to starting their Rugby World Cup campaign under the lights in Marseille on Saturday,” stated Borthwick.
“After a number of impressive performances in the last 12 months by Argentina, we know that the first game in our pool will provide a stern test.
“This great tournament provides an excitingly special opportunity for our players, who I know, as ever, will be giving their all in front of our travelling support in the south of France.”
Leicester’s veteran prop Dan Cole will begin at tighthead prop, the 36-year-old recalled by Borthwick in one in every of his first acts as head coach for the Six Nations in February.
Cole admitted earlier this week that he thought his Test profession was over after the 2019 World Cup, the place he was pressed into service for 77 minutes within the 32-12 closing defeat by South Africa.
Kyle Sinckler was knocked out within the third minute of that loss in Yokohama, and Cole then needed to battle two units of near-peerless South Africa front-row forwards.
A valiant however creaking exhibiting led to a three-year worldwide absence, however now he’s again within the fold – and chosen forward of each alternative Will Stuart and Sinckler, who has not made this weekend’s 23.
Back in enterprise: Influential flanker Tom Curry additionally begins the Pool D showdown in Marseille
/ Getty ImagesTom Curry is one other wide selection at openside flanker, with the Sale star now totally match after a irritating ankle downside.
Curry performed no half in England’s August warm-up matches after struggling his harm in coaching early final month.
The 25-year-old’s final aggressive match was the Premiership closing, the place his Sale facet misplaced to Saracens 35-25, on May 27.
Despite 4 months and not using a match, each Borthwick and defence coach Kevin Sinfield have insisted they don’t have any qualms about throwing the harmful breakdown operator again in from the beginning.
Courtney Lawes will captain England on his 101st cap, with squad skipper Owen Farrell suspended. Ben Earl begins at No 8 with Billy Vunipola additionally suspended, whereas behind the scrum Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant type a complementary centre partnership.
England crew to face Argentina in Rugby World Cup opener
Starting XV: F Steward; J May, J Marchant, M Tuilagi, E Daly; G Ford, A Mitchell; E Genge, J George, D Cole; M Itoje, O Chessum; C Lawes (capt), T Curry, B Earl
Replacements: T Dan, J Marler, W Stuart, G Martin, L Ludlam, D Care, M Smith, O Lawrence