It has been a troublesome summer season and Steve Borthwick’s aspect begin the match with little in the way in which of expectation.
No doubt some Red Rose supporters will maintain out hope that a gap weekend victory in Marseille might spur England on to nice issues, nonetheless most can't be blamed for viewing such a perception as dangerously optimistic.
Warm-up defeats to Wales, Ireland and, for the primary time ever, Fiji have added to off-field points and a nagging sense that Borthwick’s workforce is just not ready to combine it with the world’s greatest at this match.
Argentina, the perennial World Cup darkish horses, have July’s victory over Australia to provide them confidence of topping Pool D together with a slim defeat to defending champions South Africa. However, they have been additionally freely dismantled by New Zealand.
Coach Michael Cheika has ambitions of no less than matching the Pumas’ best-ever runs on the World Cup, which carried them to the semi-finals in each 2007 and 2015.
England vs Argentina takes place on Saturday, September 9 2023, with kick-off at 8pm BST.
The Stade Velodrome in Marseille will host the competition.
TV channel: In the UK, the sport will likely be reside on free-to-air channel ITV1, with protection beginning at 7:15pm.
Live stream: Fans will be capable to watch a free reside stream on-line by way of the ITVX web site and app.
Live weblog: Follow all of the motion with Standard Sport’s devoted match weblog, with rugby correspondent Nick Purewal on the floor to supply knowledgeable evaluation.
Borthwick is with out captain Owen Farrell and sole specialist No8 Billy Vunipola on account of suspensions having already seen Anthony Watson and Jack van Poortvliet each dominated out for the entire match by damage.
England pick Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Jonny May on the wing to start out in opposition to Argentina - two gamers who weren’t even named within the authentic 33-man World Cup touring squad.
Tom Curry is match to take his place within the again row as anticipated in a workforce skippered by Courtney Lawes, with veteran prop Dan Cole additionally getting the nod at tighthead and Kyle Sinckler not concerned.
George Ford companions Mitchell at half-back with Farrell banned, whereas Ben Earl deputises for Saracens team-mate Vunipola on the base of the scrum. Elliot Daly is match to line up on the wing.
Argentina look to be damage free as they head to Marseille, with Leicester hooker and captain Julian Montoya anticipated to have a giant World Cup.
Toulouse’s Juan Cruz Mallia is again at 15, with Cheika naming a 6-2 bench cut up for Saturday’s showdown.
England XV: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole; Itoje, Chessum; Lawes (c), Curry, Earl
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Martin, Ludlam, Care, Smith, Lawrence
Argentina XV: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (c), Kodela; Alemanno, Lavanini; Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez
Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Petti, Rubiolo, Bruni, Velez, Moroni
The Pumas are maybe the worst sort of opponent for England to play of their World Cup opener. Talented, dogged and decided, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the Red Rose can raise themselves out of the doldrums.
Even if they'll, they could battle nonetheless and Argentina might show too ruthless as they search a press release victory, having additionally beat England at Twickenham final autumn.
Argentina to win, by over 10 factors.
The South Americans have been victorious in these groups’ autumn Test at Twickenham final 12 months, to assist avenge their defeat within the 2019 World Cup group stage that in the end led to their early exit.
England wins: 19
Argentina wins: 5
Draws: 1
England to win: Evens
Argentina to win: 10/11
Draw: 16/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to vary).
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