Despite Henry Pollock’s stellar performances lately, head coach Steve Borthwick has decided to keep him on the bench for the upcoming England v Argentina match. This decision comes even after Pollock's remarkable hat-trick contribution to England's victory over Fiji, which ended in a staggering 73-8 scoreline.
Instead, the England squad will enter the field with the same starting XV as their last match, seeking to maintain consistency as they face Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero. The team is keen to build on their recent victory, which interrupted a concerning five-Test losing streak.
Notably, the unchanged lineup will see Marcus Smith starting at full-back, a position he continues to hold due to injuries within the team. Alongside him, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will complete the formidable back trio.
"We’re excited by the challenge of playing Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero. We expect a fantastic atmosphere with passionate home support. It promises to be a great occasion, and one the players are excited to embrace."
In the centers, Henry Slade and Seb Atkinson are pairing up once again. Their collaboration is crucial for controlling the midfield and setting up England's attacking plays. Meanwhile, Fin Smith and Jack van Poortvliet will continue to manage the halves, a duo that has shown promising coordination in recent matches.
The forward pack remains unchanged as well, with Ben Earl, Guy Pepper, and Ollie Chessum manning the back-row. The lock positions will be filled by George Martin and Alex Coles, ensuring strength and stability in the scrums and lineouts.
The front row also retains its composition with Joe Heyes, Jamie George, and Ellis Genge, a trio that has been effective in recent scrummaging battles. George, wearing the captain's band, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in leading the team on and off the field.
However, there are a few new faces on the bench ready to inject fresh energy into the game. Emmanuel Iyogun and Ben Spencer are notable additions, looking to make their mark when called upon. The bench also includes seasoned players like Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry, providing depth and experience.
England Team List:
1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George (c)
3. Joe Heyes
4. Alex Coles
5. George Martin
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Guy Pepper
8. Ben Earl
9. Jack van Poortvliet
10. Fin Smith
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
12. Seb Atkinson
13. Henry Slade
14. Tommy Freeman
15. Marcus Smith
Substitutes:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Emmanuel Iyogun
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour
19. Tom Curry
20. Henry Pollock
21. Ben Spencer
22. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
23. Noah Caluori
The match is set to kick-off on Saturday, 18 July 2026 at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero. With a comprehensive broadcast arrangement, fans around the world will be able to tune in and witness this thrilling encounter. England, with its robust lineup and strategic bench strength, looks poised to take on the fervor of the Argentine fans and team. It’s bound to be a riveting match as both teams vie for dominance on the field.
