WaTcH-RuGbY England v Argentina Live Stream Free Coverage On HQ 09 September 2023

England v Argentina LIVE: Rugby World Cup build-up and latest
updates
England enter the Rugby World Cup in poor form and with captain
Owen Farrell and No 8 Billy Vunipola suspended
England begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina in
Marseille searching for confidence after desperately poor preparation for
the showpiece event in France.
Steve Borthwick announced when he became England head coach that
the side he had seen under Eddie Jones in the autumn “weren’t good at
anything”. But after a turbulent start, and nine matches later, he is yet to
inspire much confidence that the good times are near. And England’s
challenge for this difficult opening fixture is only made harder by ill
discipline, with captain Owen Farrell and likely starting No 8 Billy
Vunipola both suspended for high tackles.
Follow live score updates, analysis and reaction from the Nouveau Stade
de Bordeaux below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips
and odds here.
England vs Argentina talking points
Time to deliver
A curious feature of England’s dismal run of just three wins in nine Tests
under head coach Borthwick has been the lack of form seen from stars
such as Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Freddie Steward.
If Argentina are to be dispatched, they will need to exit their slump with
a bang. On paper, England have a strong starting XV but when so many
are underperforming the odds are stacked against them.
England vs Argentina talking points
England and Argentina collide in their pivotal World Cup opener today
with Steve Borthwick’s side in the unusual position of being considered
underdogs.
Here are five talking points heading into the fixture.
Moment of truth
England have been upbeat since their arrival in France, refreshed by the
change of scenery that provided a locational reset in the wake of losing
five of their last six Tests.
The positive talk must now be backed up with action on the pitch but on
the basis of recent evidence it is hard to see how the upset will be sprung
given so many areas of their game are malfunctioning. The stakes are
high – win and England suddenly have a cause to rally around, lose and
each remaining game in Pool D brings do or die jeopardy.
Alex Mitchell selection hints at England’s need for speed against
Argentina
For Alex Mitchell, it’s been a rollercoaster couple of months. When the
scrum half was cut from Steve Borthwick’s wider England training squad
at the end of June, it looked like his World Cup dreams had been dashed.
Mitchell began to contemplate a start of the season with Northampton
and a watching tournament brief.
But an injury to Jack van Poortvliet opened the door, and Mitchell, true
to form, darted through it. One of England’s only bright spots on an
otherwise gloomy day against Fiji, Mitchell has earned himself the
starting nine shirt for England’s tournament opener against Argentina in
Marseille.
The Saints scrum half has arguably been the form nine, a free thinking
sprite with the ability to challenge the line. “It is immense credit to
[him],” Steve Borthwick said after naming his team on Thursday. “He
was incredibly disappointed not to make the original 33-man squad.
“Every player I spoke to at that point I asked to go away and ensure they
were ready to be the next man in. An opportunity opened up. One of the
positives that came out of that Fiji game was his performance. For this
game, to start this game, what Mitch brings is what is right for this team
and the combinations we have. Everyone knows he is a dangerous
running threat.”
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full analysis of England’s team selection:
Alex Mitchell selection hints at England’s need for speed against
Argentina
The scrum half and Jonny May are surprise inclusions in England’s first
starting team of the World Cup having been left out of Steve Borthwick’s
initial 33-man squad
England ready for ‘dangerous’ Argentina in Rugby World Cup opener
Argentina’s scrum may lack the potency of old but Dan Cole insists it
remains a significant threat to England’s goal of making a triumphant
start to their World Cup.
Two sides who take pride in their forward dominance collide in Pool D’s
highest-profile fixture in Marseille on Saturday, with the winners placing
one foot into the quarter-finals.
Argentina’s last great scrum was 2015 when feared props Marcos Ayerza
and Ramiro Herrera helped them reach the World Cup semi-finals, but
more strings have now been added to the Pumas’ bow.
But tighthead prop Cole insists that with his Leicester mate Julian
Montoya present in their front row at hooker, they are still a formidable
set-piece unit.
He said: “It’s a force. Whether it’s the force of your (Martin) Scelzos,
(Rodrigo) Ronceros and (Mario) Ledesmas, but you still have Montoya,
who I know brilliantly well.”

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