With Manu Tuilagi and Joe Cokanasiga back, Owen Farrell will lead England against Argentina, and Alex Coles will make his international debut.
Rugby World Cup : On Sunday, Northampton forward Alex Coles will make his Test debut, while Owen Farrell has been cleared to skipper England against Argentina.
The Autumn Nations Series begins this month at Twickenham with Japan on the first Sunday, followed by New Zealand and South Africa the following two weekends. Manu Tuilagi and Joe Cokanasiga will both be available for selection.
Eddie Jones, England’s head coach, made eight changes to the team that won the decisive third Test against Australia in July.
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), and Maro Itoje (Saracens) all return to start in the front pack, while newcomer Dane Coles (Test debut) takes his place in the second row.
Joe Cokanasiga of Bath, Manu Tuilagi of Sale, and Ben Youngs of Leicester replace the starting backs.
Farrell will lead the team from inside center, with Marcus Smith starting at fly half. This Sunday’s Test will be the first occasion that Farrell, Tuilagi, and Smith have all started in the same game.
Hooker Injuries have sidelined a number of players, including scrum-half Danny Care, center Guy Porter, blind-side flanker Courtney Lawes, open-side Lewis Ludlam, wing Tommy Freeman, tight-head prop Will Stuart, and lock Ollie Chessum.
Jack Singleton, a hooker for Gloucester, Mako Vunipola, a loose head for Saracens, and Joe Heyes, a tight head for Leicester Tigers, are all substitutes who can help out in the front row.
Dave Ribbans (second row, Northampton), Sam Simmonds (back row, Exeter), Jack Willis (unattached, previously with Wasps), Jack van Poortvliet (scrum half, Leicester), and Henry Slade (centre, Exeter) round out the bench, making for a 6/2 forwards/backs split.
As Los Pumas continue to improve under coach Michael Cheika, Jones is aware of the physical task his squad will face at Twickenham.
Jones observed that Argentina’s playstyle had become more conventional under Cheik. “Stronger emphasis on set pieces, with an emphasis on gaining an advantage by rushing you as soon as you step foot in the door.
“They’re similar to the French in that they focus on getting the ball into the back of the net via their strikers and then trying to build from there. In order to prevent them from entering, the entrance door must be sealed.
Owen Farrell
The 6/2 bench split is because “our forwards are going to have the brunt of the work and we feel that it is the greatest cover,” he said. “Henry “Sladey” Slade can play several positions, and if we need to, Sam “Simmonds” Simmonds can help us in the secondary.
Jones argued that England would benefit from having Farrell back in the lineup if he successfully completed return to play procedures after a concussion.
“Owen has an intense drive to win at everything. He’s driven by victory, has a firm grasp of what it takes to succeed, and has a knack for rallying the troops “According to England’s manager. “His degree of competitiveness is unparalleled, at least among the guys I’ve seen.
“He has followed all the necessary procedures and fulfilled all the prerequisites. We weren’t expecting him to participate since he hadn’t been feeling well earlier in the week. His health has greatly improved.”
For the first time, Farrell, Smith, and Tuilagi will form England’s backline from 10 through 13, and Jones is excited about the team’s newfound balance.
“Wow, that’s fantastic, right? You’ve got Marcus’s cunning, Owen’s competitive fire and game awareness, and Manu’s speed and strength. We’re really anticipating those three. They’ve had three practices this week, and with each one they’ve become noticeably better.”
