ENGLAND are up against Argentina in their opening match of the Rugby World Cup 2023 later tonight.
Steve Borthwick's side were dismal in their preparation for the sport's showpiece event.
They lost in humiliating fashion to Fiji two weeks ago and there are fears their World Cup campaign could go horribly wrong.
And without Owen Farrell, who is suspended, it could be a tricky encounter for the 2019 finalists.
- Kick-off time: 8pm UK
- TV channel: ITV
- Live stream FREE: ITV X
- 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: Gallo, Montoya, G Kodela, Alemanno, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez, Bertanou, S Carreras, M Carreras, Chocobares, Cinti, Boffelli, Mallia
- Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Petti, Rubiolo, Bruni, Bazan Velez, Moroni
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- By Kieran Davies
England looking to bounce back from shock defeat
In their final warm-up test before the tournament, Borthwick's side suffered a first-ever defeat on home soil to Fiji.
The 22-30 defeat at Twickenham two weeks ago shocked England fans, leaving an air of gloom as they looked forward to the impending tournament.
Not many are expecting much from England in France but their coach will know that his future hinges on their performances.
- By Kieran Davies
Argentine players ready for World Cup
Some of The Pumas players were expecting to miss the World Cup in France when they were suspended from playing for their country.
Skipper Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino were all expecting to miss the showpiece tournament due to social media posts.
However, the Argentine Ruby Union reversed their decision after all players involved apologised for their actions.
- By Kieran Davies
Fans positive for World Cup upset
Argentina fans are hoping they can get their World Cup off to a winning start this evening.
In the past, they have suffered at the hands of England but form is not favouring Borthwick's side.
The Pumas feel that England are there for the taking tonight.
Credit: Getty
- By Kieran Davies
Pressure on Borthwick from off
England's poor form in the tests leading up to the World Cup has meant that this is a must-win game for the coach.
Anything but qualification from the group would no doubt put his position in question.
His side need to find some form from the first whistle in France.
- By Kieran Davies
Game on a knife edge with bookies
Such is the recent form of Steve Borthwick's England that this game is seen as somewhat of an even affair, with Argentina slightly fancied to edge it:
England – Evens
Draw – 20/1
Argentina – 10/11
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- By Kieran Davies
Argentina replacements:
16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Joel Sclavi, 18. Eduardo Bello, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Pedro Rubiolo, 21. Rodrigo Bruni, 22. Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23. Matias Moroni
- By Kieran Davies
Argentina starting XV:
15. Juan Cruz Mallia, 14. Emiliano Boffelli, 13. Lucio Cinti, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 11. Mateo Carreras, 10. Santiago Carreras, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 8. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Marcos Kremer, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Matias Alemanno, 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2. Julian Montoya (c), 1. Thomas Gallo
- By Kieran Davies
England 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
- By Kieran Davies
England starting XV:
15. Freddie Steward, 14. Jonny May, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 8. Ben Earl, 7. Tom Curry, 6. Courtney Lawes (c), 5. Ollie Chessum, 4. Maro Itoje, 3. Dan Cole, 2. Jamie George, 1. Ellis Genge
- By Kieran Davies
Welcome to England vs Argentina
The Stade Velodrome hosts the final game of the day as England and Argentina get their World Cup campaigns started.
Alex Mitchell and Jonny May have been recalled due to injuries, one of whom is the influential Jack van Poortvliet.
Owen Farrell is set to miss the first two matches after receiving a red card against Wales for a high tackle which was appealed after first of all finding out there would be no further suspension.
Billy Vunipola saw red against Ireland but he will be available for the game against Japan.
Ben Earl will be coming in to fill in for Vunipola, while Courtney Lawes will be filling in at captain with the suspension of Farrell.
Thomas Gallo, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti and Mateo Carreras will all be making their debut starts in the rugby World Cup.
Julian Montoya will skipper the Pumas in this game.
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