Rugby World Cup diary: Argentina ready for ‘war’ against England
Jamie George says England will not be rattled by the pre-match talk
England vs. Argentina
- What: Rugby World Cup pool C
- When: Saturday 5 October
- Where: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
- UK start time: 9am
- TV channel: live on ITV
Expect fireworks on Saturday when England and Argentina go head-to-head in Rugby World Cup pool C at the Tokyo Stadium.
After losing 23-21 to France in their opening game Argentina hit back with a 28-12 bonus-point win over Tonga to take their tally to six points.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
England, who have beaten Tonga 35-3 and the United States 45-7, top the table with ten points. They have one point more than France, who beat the United States 33-9 on Thursday morning.
Pumas hooker Agustin Creevy predicts that Saturday’s clash is going to be like a “war”. Creevy, who previously played for Worcester Warriors, said: “I think the battle is going to be in the forwards.
“We need to win the scrum, we need to win the lineout, the maul and the breakdown. Saturday’s going to be like a war. It’s a final for us.”
England won’t be rattled
In response to Creevy’s war cry and claims that Eddie Jones’s side play “boring” rugby, Jamie George says England will not be rattled by the pre-match talk.
Hooker George said: “I don’t think we play boring rugby. I’m not overly surprised that he’s tried to say that, but he’s entitled to his opinion and hopefully we’ll prove him wrong on Saturday.
“In my opinion, I don’t think it’s very justified. I’m sure he’s just trying to rattle us a bit. He’s more than welcome to try.”
X-factor backs
England forwards coach Steve Borthwick says the team are ready to take on the strong Pumas pack and the “X-factor” players in the backs.
“They have got a very strong forward pack, we’ve known and seen that over a period of time,” said Borthwick.
“Their scrum has certainly improved from the point where it was, which is what you’d expect with a coach like Mario Ledesma coaching them now they’ve been in camp for a period and had chance to address that.
“Then they have got some backs who have got X-factor, you can list a few like [Nicolas] Sanchez and [Emiliano] Boffelli Obefllie straight away, so they are a very good side.”
Jones: show passion and intensity
England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team for the clash against Argentina.
George Ford plays at fly-half while captain Owen Farrell returns at inside centre. Lock George Kruis comes into the back row in place of Courtney Lawes.
Jones said: “Argentina are always about the physical contest. They’ve got good players, they’ve got a reasonably settled way of playing.
“They enjoy World Cups more than the other major teams, because there’s such a pride and there’s such a passion. The challenge for us is to show the same level of intensity and passion at the start of the game.”
England team
- Starting XV: Daly; Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell, May; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Kruis; Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola
- Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Nowell
Argentina team
- Starting XV: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De La Fuente, Carreras; Urdapilleta, Cubelli; Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo, Pagadizabal, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Desio
- Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Mensa, Delguy
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 concert tours to see this winter
The Week Recommends Keep warm traveling the United States — and the world — to see these concerts
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rejuvenated England show spirit, unity and ‘never-say-die courage’
feature Eddie Jones’s new-look side complete autumn Test clean sweep by toppling South Africa
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
A World Cup every two years - for football and rugby union?
Pros and Cons Governing bodies of both sports are discussing the option of biennial tournaments
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published