England, finalists in 2019, open their Rugby World Cup 2023 problem with a tough conflict towards an Argentina aspect assured of reserving a spot within the knockout part of the competitors.
Tournament historical past favours Steve Borthwick’s aspect – England have received the three earlier RWC conferences, together with a convincing 39-10 victory in Japan 4 years in the past.
But Los Pumas got here out on high the final time the 2 sides met, final November – and so they’ve had a confidence-boosting run-in to the event. Unlike England.
Kick off is at 21:00
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FIXTURE: England v Argentina
GROUND: Stade de Marseille (67,847)
KICK-OFF: 21:00 native time (GMT+2)
FIXTURE HISTOvRY
The first match between an England XV and Argentina was in 1978. The first check, by which gamers from each side have been capped got here three years later in 1981.
In the 42 years which have adopted, the 2 sides have met 25 occasions – together with 3 times in Rugby World Cups. England have received 19 of them, Argentina 5, and that first match led to a 19-19 draw.
MEMORABLE MATCH
In November 2006, Los Pumas recorded their first win over England exterior Argentina – a end result that ended the period of Andy Robinson as head coach.
Last November, they lastly added to that quantity, with a dramatic and totally deserved 30-29 victory at a rain-sodden Twickenham.
England led 16-12 at half-time, however Emiliano Boffelli and player-of-the-match Santiago Carreras crossed in fast succession to show the sport on its head.
Eddie Jones was changed as England coach after final November’s internationals, which additionally included defeat to South Africa, a draw with New Zealand, and victory over Japan.
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KEY TALKING POINT
England head into this 12 months’s World Cup on the again of simply three wins in 9 matches below Steve Borthwick, together with a first-ever defeat towards an rising nation once they misplaced 30-22 towards Fiji.
The head coach has insisted that his squad will come good on the event. An opening spherical win towards their greatest Pool D rivals would possibly quiet some critics. The query is whether or not his confidence is nicely positioned.
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PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD
George Ford v Santiago Carreras. In a recreation between two sides that look very evenly matched on paper, two Premiership fly-halves – Sale Sharks’ Ford and Gloucester Rugby’s Carreras – go head-to-head on the most important rugby stage of all. The Argentinian drifts between 10 and 15 on the teamsheet. If there is a bonus, it might be right here. Has coach Michael Cheika made the precise name?
STATS-AMAZING
Argentina coach Cheika has put his religion in expertise for this event – his 33-player squad featured hooker Agustín Creevy, 38, who’s Los Pumas’ first-ever check centurion. He and Nicolás Sánchez, who’s not within the 23 for the opener, are coming into their fourth Rugby World Cup. Another 10 of the 33 Argentina squad members are taking part in their third.
REF WATCH
Mathieu Raynal (France). The house nation’s solely consultant on the 12-strong referees’ panel at RWC 2023 was a promising again in his youth, profitable the French junior championship with Perpignan in 1998.
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TEAMS
ENGLAND Freddie Steward; Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Courtney Lawes (captain), Tom Curry, Ben Earl
Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, George Martin, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence
ARGENTINA Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (captain), Francisco Gómez Kodela; Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini; Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez
Replacements: Agustín Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Matías Moroni
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The Springboks in a huddle. Photo: SA Rugby web site
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