Fit again flank returns for England opener against Argentina
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Steve Borthwick has put his trust in Alex Mitchell and Jonny May for the World Cup opener against Argentina in Marseilles on Saturday.
These two initially missed out on Englands’ 33-man squad for the World Cup.
Mitchell and May, scrumhalf and wing respectively, were late additions to the squad after Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson withdrew with injury.
Courtney Lawes will captain the side while flyhalf George Ford will be the vice-captain. Elliot Daly is named in place of Max Malins, with Jonny May switching from left to right wing.
Joe Marchant is promoted from the bench instead of Ollie Lawrence, who will be a replacement.
In the pack, Jamie George starts at hooker with the youngster Theo Dan dropping to the bench.
Loose forward Tom Curry starts his first game since the Premiership final in May.
England: 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 (captain), 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge.
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
Date: Saturday, September 9
Venue: Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Kick-off: 21.00 (19.00 GMT: 20.00 UK & Ireland time, 16.00 ART)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Additional source @RugbyPass
