Preview: England v Argentina

8 Sep 2023 | 7 min |

Everything you need to know ahead of England Men's opening Rugby World Cup fixture against Argentina in Marseille

Courtney Lawes will captain the squad at flanker, with Tom Curry returning to the England starting XV wearing the 7 shirt. Ben Earl packs down at No.8.

When?	Saturday 9 September
Where?	Stade de Marseille
Kick off	20:00 BST
Where can I watch?	ITV

In the front row, vice-captain Ellis Genge starts alongside Jamie George and Dan Cole, with Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum behind in the second row.

Alex Mitchell starts the game at scrum half with George Ford outside him at fly half. The centre pairing is Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant, and the England back three consists of Elliot Daly (left wing), Jonny May (right wing) and Freddie Steward (full back).

Theo Dan, Joe Marler and Will Stuart are named as the front row replacements. George Martin, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence are also named on the bench.

WHERE TO WATCH

ITV will be broadcasting every Rugby World Cup fixture live.
Enjoy the ultimate experience at the official England Rugby fanzone at Vinegar Yard, with tickets from just £10.
For the travelling rugby fan, check out our supporters' guide to Marseille.

VIEWS FROM CAMP

Steve Borthwick: "Argentina are an exceptionally strong side in the last year they have beaten England at Twickenham, they’ve beaten New Zealand and Australia, so we know they’re a formidable challenge and arguably the best Argentinian side to come to a World Cup.

"We know we’re going to have to be very good this weekend and I’ve got every confidence in the players led by Courtney – The players with a blend of experience and youth, many who have played on the biggest stage previously. I’ve sensed a real determination from these players to go and perform to the best of their abilities on Saturday night.

"This is a fantastic tournament and everyone involved in the team cannot wait to get started."

Courtney Lawes: "Leading the team in the opening game of a World Cup is huge for me. It really is a big honour and I just want to do my best, for the boys firstly and also for my family and the people at home supporting us. We’ve had a really good training week and we’re looking forward to the weekend.

"We’ve got to be defensively and physically sound against Argentina. We’ve got to match them up front and then play to our game plan to suit our strengths and give us plenty of opportunities to score tries. It’s going to be one hell of a spectacle, we’re going out all guns blazing and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got."

Kevin Sinfield: "It's great to be here, the boys have worked incredibly hard over the past weeks so to be here in the sunshine in September is unique and we're looking forward to what's to come with a challenge at the weekend. There is always emotion, but it's important that we're passionate about defending for each other and defending our line. It's important that we're aggressive when we're getting off of our line and that we're physical."

Danny Care: "We can't wait to get stuck in, as Kev said. I'm also excited personally, it's one of the biggest weeks of my career. This is massive for all of us and it's something we've been working toward for a long time. There has been a noticeable step-up in training and this is what we're here for. For some lads this is a first World Cup game and for some lads they've been here before. There's a really exciting mix in this group and we can't wait to get under the lights and show what we can do at the weekend.

"Argentina are a threat. They fight for each other and they work hard for the full 80 minutes, and whether they go down on the scoreboard early or they've started well they're in the game. We respect them massively and we're excited to come up against them.

"This group is a special group, we've got some great coaches and some great players and for me I can't wait to help this team out and try to do as well we can on Saturday. I don't like say it but it's probably my last opportunity at a World Cup, so personally - and I'm sure everyone would say this - I want to give it absolutely everything and make people at home proud."

TEAMS

England

15. Freddie Steward, 14. Jonny May, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes (C), 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl

Replacements

16. Theo Dan, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 19. George Martin, 20. Lewis Ludlam, 21. Danny Care, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Ollie Lawrence

Argentina

15. Juan Cruz Mallía, 14. Emiliano Boffelli, 13. Lucio Cinti, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 11. Mateo Carreras, 10. Santiago Carreras, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 1. Thomas Gallo, 2. Julián Montoya (C), 3. Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4. Matías Alemanno, 5, Tomás Lavanini, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Juan Martín González

Replacements

16. Agustín Creevy, 17. Jeol Sclavi, 18. Eduardo Bello, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Pedro Rubiolo, 21. Rodrigo Bruni, 22. Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 23. Matías Moroni

STATS

England have emerged victorious in each of their previous three Rugby World Cup meetings with the Pumas, those clashes all coming in the Pool Stages, in 1995, 2011 and 2019.

Only once in nine attempts have Argentina won their opening match of a World Cup, doing so in 2007 when they beat France in what was their most successful campaign, finishing in third place after once again beating Les Bleus in the Bronze Medal match.

A third of Argentina’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad ply their trade in the English Premiership (11/33), four at Newcastle Falcons, two at Gloucester, two at Saracens and one at each of Bristol Bears, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks.

Argentina won their most recent Test match against England (30-29 in November 2022) after losing 10 in a row against them previously

LAST TIME OUT

The last time England and Argentina met was just under a year ago, on 6 November 2022, in the opening fixture of the Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham Stadium. Emiliano Boffelli scored 25 of the visitors' points in an encounter which ended 29-30 in favour of The Pumas, securing their first win over the Red Rose since 2006. Wearing black, England scored 19 points through the Owen Farrell, while Joe Cokanasiga and Jack van Poortvliet crossed for tries.