Courtney Lawes and suspended Owen Farrell take part in England captain’s run as Steve Borthwick’s side begin their final preparations before Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina
- Courtney Lawes will lead the side with George Ford and Ellis Genge his deputies
- Steve Borthwick has named a perhaps surprising side to take on Argentina
- England face the Pumas in Marseille on Saturday at 8pm in their Pool D opener
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
England started their final preparations for their Rugby World Cup opener, with stand-in skipper Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell both on hand in Marseille.
England get their campaign up and running on Saturday against Argentina, with Lawes filling in for the suspended Farrell, having had his red card ban reinstated by World Rugby ahead of the competition.
The captain’s run sees the skipper for the game lead the session, rather than head coach Steve Borthwick, taking place at a time determined by the squad ahead of the game, usually for around one hour.
England come into the competition on the back of a desperate run of form that has seen pressure piled on Borthwick’s shoulders – although the former Leicester Tigers coach insists that he is paying no attention to outside noise.
He named a surprise side for the clash with the Pumas, handing starts to both Jonny May and Alex Mitchell – neither of whom had even been included in the original 33-man squad.
Steve Borthwick’s side get their Rugby World Cup campaign up and running on Saturday
Veteran forward Courtney Lawes will lead the side with Owen Farrell out suspended
The captain’s run sees the team’s skipper lead the training session rather than the head coach
Pictures of the training session emerged showing the squad go through their paces, with Farrell still present despite not being able to take part in the crunch opener.
England’s Rugby World Cup group matches
Argentina – September 9 (Marseille)
Japan – September 17 (Nice)
Chile – September 23 (Lille)
Samoa – October 7 (Lille)
But it was Lawes who will be in charge in Marseille, and he was spotted watching proceedings carefully with young fly-half Marcus Smith.
The team were all smiles despite the pressure of their opening game coming up, clearly enjoying the occasion, with several among their ranks featuring in their first World Cup.
Even Farrell seemed not to be too perturbed by the fact he would be sitting out the clash. The forward pack were spotted running quick hands and passing drills.
Manu Tuilagi – who will start at 12 – was seen enjoying himself as he took part in the session, seemingly practicing running onto the ball at pace as England will hope he can do to great impact, bludgeoning a hole in Argentina’s defensive line on Saturday.
Among those taking part was Tom Curry, who comes straight back into the back row despite missing three months of action with injury.
Although not in command of the session, Borthwick was still on hand to closely monitor his charges.
England’s meeting with Argentina is the first of four group stage matches, and will take place in Marseille at 8pm on Saturday, before clashes with Japan, Chile and Samoa over the next month.
Starting inside centre Manu Tuilagi was seen taking part in running drills at Marseille
Farrell took part in the session despite not being available for Saturday’s Argentina game
Borthwick was on hand to monitor proceedings as the spotlight continues to shine on his side
Tom Curry is set for an immediate return to action after spending three months out injured
It is a relatively experienced side that will take on the Pumas, with seasoned veteran Dan Cole also coming in for a surprise start.
Cole will play in his fourth Rugby World Cup, and starts in the front row with vice-captain Ellis Genge either side of Jamie George, in front of locks Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum, and a back row of Lawes, Curry and Ben Earl completing the pack.
May, Elliot Daly and Freddie Steward make up the back three, Tuilagi will start at 13 with Joe Marchant 13, and Mitchell will be partnered by George Ford as England’s half-back pairing.
And Borthwick can call upon plenty of experience from a bench including 282 caps, with Danny Care and Joe Marler both playing more than 80 times for their country
England XV to face Argentina
Backs: 15. Freddie Steward 14. Jonny May 13. Joe Marchant 12. Manu Tuilagi 11. Elliot Daly 10. George Ford (VC) 9. Alex Mitchell
Forwards: 1. Ellis Genge (VC) 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
Marcus Smith (right) can provide cover at both fly-half and full back against Argentina
Joe Marler can bring plenty of experience from the bench having played 82 times for England
Source: Read Full Article
