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<\/p>\nAlex Mitchell will be tasked with getting England\u2019s sluggish attack firing against Argentina <\/p>\n
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For Alex Mitchell, it\u2019s been a rollercoaster couple of months. When the scrum half was cut from Steve Borthwick\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
But an injury to Jack van Poortvliet opened the door, and Mitchell, true to form, darted through it. One of England\u2019s only bright spots on an otherwise gloomy day against Fiji, Mitchell has earned himself the starting nine shirt for England\u2019s tournament opener against Argentina in Marseille.<\/p>\n
The Saints scrum half has arguably been the form nine, a free thinking sprite with the ability to challenge the line. \u201cIt is immense credit to [him],\u201d Steve Borthwick said after naming his team on Thursday. \u201cHe was incredibly disappointed not to make the original 33-man squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Mitchell is not the only lucky loser. Jonny May\u2019s return to the fold after Anthony Watson\u2019s calf issue has seen the veteran wing seize his spot in the run-on 15, too, opposite Elliot Daly on the wing.<\/p>\n
Both selections speak to a desire for pace in England\u2019s starting side. The laggard progress made by Borthwick\u2019s backline in attack necessitates a look at more adventurous options, with Marcus Smith continuing to be considered as a full back option.<\/p>\n
Does this suggest an admission of fault on Borthwick\u2019s part? To select two men he considered surplus to requirements in his initial 33 indicates as much, but you can understand the head coach averting course after the August struggles.<\/p>\n
No doubt, he\u2019d have loved to have Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola available for this opener. The latter\u2019s back row ballast was seen as a key cog in England\u2019s World Cup machine, with the thought that he would work up to full speed with a run of games into the tournament; his sending off in Dublin and subsequent ban will leave Vunipola playing catch-up when he is back available next week.<\/p>\n
In his absence, the back row takes on a totally different look. Tom Curry and Ben Earl offer breakdown prowess and ability to carry and connect in wide channels, with stand-in skipper Courtney Lawes a stabilising force. Curry\u2019s return to fitness is vital for an England side shorn of other key leaders.<\/p>\n
But Argentina\u2019s back five brutes pose reason for concern for an undoubtedly underweight England six, seven, eight combination. The Pumas possess a fearsome array of collision winners in their forward pack, long, muscular athletes who thump at the gain line in both attack and defence. A six forwards to two backs bench split allows the inclusion of three more in the matchday squad.<\/p>\n
In their Twickenham win last November, the visitors beasted England at the breakdown, creating a mess to slow England\u2019s ball and relying on the deadeye Emiliano Boffelli from the tee. There\u2019s plenty of attacking potential in this Pumas team too \u2013 the outside back quartet of Lucio Cinti, Mateo Carreras, Boffelli and Juan Cruz Mallia have pace to burn and are all skilful footballers.<\/p>\n
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George Ford again starts at fly half with Owen Farrell suspended <\/p>\n
This Argentina side aren\u2019t the scrummaging force of old, though, which perhaps explains Dan Cole\u2019s inclusion from the start with Kyle Sinckler still working back to full fitness. The veteran tighthead was keen to talk up the opposing front row ahead of England\u2019s opener, but the South American side were thin at prop even before Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro\u2019s injury. England\u2019s scrum has been vastly improved this year, and Cole and Ellis Genge have worked well together as a pairing in the past, with Cole\u2019s solidity allowing Genge to go on the attack.<\/p>\n
And while the sparky Mitchell will try to up England\u2019s attacking tempo, it is unlikely that they stray too far from a kick pressure strategy that Borthwick regards as the best strategy for forging a World Cup contending side. May is regarded as perhaps England\u2019s finest wing kick chaser, and air traffic controller Freddie Steward is likely to be used from a variety of launchpads to get after and under kicks.<\/p>\n
\u201cArgentina are an exceptionally strong side,\u201d said Borthwick of England\u2019s opponents. \u201cIn the last year they\u2019ve beaten England at Twickenham, they\u2019ve beaten New Zealand, they\u2019ve beaten Australia. We know they\u2019ll be a formidable challenge, probably the best Argentina side to come to a World Cup. We know we\u2019re going to have to be very good this weekend and I\u2019ve got every confidence in the players led by Courtney.\u201d<\/p>\n
England team to face Argentina in Marseille (kick off 8pm BST, Saturday 9 September)<\/strong><\/p>\n 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)<\/p>\n 14. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 73 caps)<\/p>\n 13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 19 caps)<\/p>\n 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)<\/p>\n 11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 59 caps)<\/p>\n 10. George Ford \u2013 vice-captain (Sale Sharks, 85 caps)<\/p>\n 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)<\/p>\n 1. Ellis Genge \u2013 vice-captain (Bristol Bears, 52 caps)<\/p>\n 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 79 caps)<\/p>\n 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 102 caps)<\/p>\n 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 70 caps)<\/p>\n 5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)<\/p>\n 6. Courtney Lawes \u2013 captain (Northampton Saints, 100 caps)<\/p>\n 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 45 caps)<\/p>\n 8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 18 caps)<\/p>\n
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