England kick off their World Cup campaign against Argentina on Saturday in Marseille. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
England's World Cup opener against Argentina is likely to be their toughest pool game yet.
Steve Borthwick will be without Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipole, both of whom suspended, while a number of other players are recovering from injuries and in a race against time to be in good shape.
Telegraph Sport's rugby experts choose which England team they'd like to see on the pitch on Saturday night.
Gavin Mayrs Gavin Mayrs' England team will face Argentina < p>This set is made to take on you in the standard Los — Pumas. As Vunipola and Jack Willis did not disappoint Fiji and Tom Curry failed to play during the August Tests, Lewis Ludlam enters the field in the last row. If Curry is in good shape, then the best place to return him is to the bench.
Borthwick might be tempted to start with Marcus Smith at full-back, but given Argentina's kicking game, air dominance, at least in the first 60 minutes, will be key. Joe Marchant, England's Player of the Summer, passes Ollie Lawrence.
Daniel Schofield Daniel Schofield's England team will face Argentina
It's a slightly pushed forward team where I opted for the bench for maximum effect and a starting XV based on scrum dominance and lineout dominance. Is it an incredibly limited game plan? Absolutely. Is this the best chance for England to try and win? Probably.
There are also some serious assumptions being made about the fitness of the various players here, and I choose Elliot Daly and Henry Arundell in the hope rather than expectation that they will a) be in good shape and b) pass the ball. There are good arguments in favor of putting Smith at full back, but I think he has a better chance of winning the game as a substitute than as a starter.
Charlie Morgan Charlie Morgan's England team will face Argentina
I really like Marchant on the wing and his versatility reduces the risk of a six-two bench split with Smith covering the defender. This assumes pure health and Curry will be among the substitutions. Willis couldn't play against Fiji, but he's good enough to match the occasion.
Ben Coles England under Ben Coles will face Argentina
It depends on several factors such as the extent of Daly's injury and Curry's recovery. It was assumed that Curry would participate in the fight.
How absurd that England are going to the Rugby World Cup with little to no idea who their best tighthead or scrum half is. Ben Young's fight in Dublin and Alex Mitchell's quick play could determine who wins this battle. Dan Cole is the best scrummager. One of the highlights lost in the loss to Fiji was that Manu Tuilagi played quite well. It's time for Marchand to start. Too many talents to be so poor.
Charles Richardson Charles Richardson's England team will face Argentina
Given August's events and how important this game is in terms of England's World Cup campaign — and perhaps Borthwick's tenure as head coach — reputation should be abandoned in favor of form. Tuilagi, Maro Itohe and Jamie George, the warm-up loser trio, are part of the seasoned bench that will close out the last quarter.
Courtney Lowes moves into the second row next to the strong George Martin to make room in the back row, where everyone is active. Curry returns immediately, given his physical achievements in training, which Borthwick lyrically praises. Ben Earl continues to sit in eighth as there is literally no one else, and with a recent injury to Kyle Sinclair, Cole starts the game with difficulty to establish stability on set pieces. Theo Dan looked energetic and dynamic and deserves a chance, as does Mitchell.
Daley is expected to be in good shape and make a well-balanced back three with Arundell and Freddie Steward. Lawrence and Marchant are the formal centers of the England team and pose the greatest threat, with Marchant also covering the flank when necessary. Smith, among the subs, fills his new role as both linebacker and fullback. On paper, this team is good enough to win Group D.
Fiona Thomas Fiona Thomas's England team will face Argentina
This is based on the assumption that Daly and Arundell have yet to recover from their injury problems. Trying new combinations on the eve of the World Cup is a nightmare, but Smith looked brilliant when he took the field against Fiji. Putting him at full-back is unlikely to be ideal against an Argentine team whose rugby record has skyrocketed over the past year, but by working in tandem with George Ford, England can at least try to counter Argentina's sharp footwork and step in. territorial battle. We've got enough experience to take on a rapacious Los Pumas team with strong players who need to stand high but tack the ball… low.
Choose England to face Argentina.
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