England vs Argentina LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 result, match stream and latest updates today

England vs Argentina LIVE!

The Rugby World Cup continued with a massive Pool D clash in Marseille on Saturday night. The two favourites to advance from the final group locked horns in the headline fixture of a four-game day two, with George Ford’s boot leading England to a decisive and morale-boosting 27-10 victory despite the early loss of Tom Curry, who saw his yellow card for head-to-head contact on Juan Cruz Mallia upgraded to red following a bunker review.

It has been a harrowing 2023 for England so far, losing six of their first nine matches under new head coach Steve Borthwick, who was already feeling the pressure. However, the under-fire boss now has lift-off in the role and his side can already plot their path through to the quarter-finals, provided they don’t let their standards drop in upcoming games against Japan, Chile and Samoa.

All of the mounting negativity was instantly swept away with an enormous opening win for England over the woeful Pumas, who were never at the races despite a late consolation try from Rodrigo Bruni. Follow England vs Argentina reaction live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome!

England vs Argentina highlights

• Bruni goes over for consolation try after another Ford penalty

• Two more Ford penalties make it a 21-point England lead

• Ford knocks over another penalty for 18-3 advantage

• Another Ford penalty stretches 14-man England’s lead

• Ford knocks down THREE drop goals in first half

• Santiago Carreras gets away with yellow for Ford smash

• RED CARD! Curry yellow upgraded after Mallia hit

Michael Cheika reaction

23:16 , George Flood

"Pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

“England managed the game very well, it was stop-start, which was how they wanted it. Ford played the cards nicely in this scenario.

"The pitch here is also smaller, only 95 metres so you can take a shot from further out.

"Full credit to them, they did not let us get flow into our game. Ford was excellent, not just his kicks at poles but also in general play."

Steve Borthwick on Tom Curry’s red card

23:15 , George Flood

“Each incident is different. We will have a good look at the incident and it will go through to the disciplinary process.”

Steve Borthwick reaction

23:14 , George Flood

“I enjoy this job and I enjoy working with this fantastic group of players. I’m really pleased for them tonight and I’m also pleased for the supporters. The team love the supporters and the way they got behind us tonight.

“There was a sense I had from the players they had been written off a bit too early. They are a quality group of players that are going to keep on improving and moving forward. We will enjoy this tonight and the fans will enjoy it but our focus will switch to Japan very quickly for our next game on Sunday.”

22:28 , George Flood

Still no attacking verve or try-scoring nous from England, but that’s a discussion for another day.

Tonight they won on pure physicality, spirit, determination, effort and Ford’s accurate kicking.

What a performance.

England 27-10 Argentina

22:02 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

A landmark night for England and Steve Borthwick. This win puts England en route to the quarter-finals.

George Ford outstanding, along with Courtney Lawes and Maro Itoje.

Full-time

22:00 , George Flood

England 27-10 Argentina

England 27-10 Argentina

21:58 , George Flood

79 mins: A wretched night for the Pumas ends with a late, late consolation as they go over for what will surely prove the only try of the game.

Bruni sent over from close range. The quick conversion is made.

England 27-3 Argentina

21:57 , George Flood

75 mins: Ford - who has kicked all of England’s 27 points at the Stade Velodrome - ends a brilliant night on a high.

After that sixth successful penalty to go along with his three first-half drop goals, he leaves the field to be replaced by Marcus Smith.

The England fans in Marseille rightly serenade their No10.

England 27-3 Argentina

21:55 , George Flood

74 mins: Can I just shock you?

Argentina have given away another penalty for sealing off the ruck after a spirited kick and chase from England.

Up steps Ford with another nailed kick. The lead stretches even further to 24.

What a night for Ford.

England 24-3 Argentina

21:51 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

Ford has been absolutely sensational here. England are so comfortable that they can even afford to bring off Jamie George, with Theo Dan taking to the field at hooker.

Great experience here for the Saracens tyro.

England 24-3 Argentina

21:50 , George Flood

69 mins: A deserved ovation for Tuilagi, who has been absolutely monstrous for England tonight.

He now makes way for Ollie Lawrence.

Argentina have brought back Moroni and sent on the likes of Rodrigo Bruni, Eduardo Bello, Agustin Creevy and Lautaro Bazan, but to no avail.

This is so unusual to see from Argentina. They have not been at the races at all in Marseille.

England 24-3 Argentina

21:47 , George Flood

69 mins: Finally Argentina get some attacking verve and scythe their way deep into the England 22.

For the first time tonight Borthwick’s relentless defence are vulnerable, but they still manage to hold it up over the line!

The blood pouring from a gash on Earl’s head is testament to the extraordinary defensive efforts from England in Marseille.

Borthwick was also seen giving a little grin up in the coaching box a few minutes ago. He may well smile!

England 24-3 Argentina

21:45 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

Argentina have lost their heads here. The Pumas have the man advantage but cannot do anything about it. And that is only winding them up more.

England are dominating the breakdown and now the scrum, Ford is kicking his goals and so far, so good, red card aside.

England 24-3 Argentina

21:42 , George Flood

65 mins: Off goes England skipper Lawes, with Lewis Ludlam on.

Ford makes it a 21-point lead for the 14 men with a simple penalty after Argentina are whistled for not rolling away.

England 21-3 Argentina

21:41 , George Flood

63 mins: Argentina have totally lost their heads now as they give away penalty after penalty.

At the scrum, on the floor, at the breakdown, at the lineout - total domination from England.

England 21-3 Argentina

21:35 , George Flood

60 mins: George Martin is on for Ollie Chessum at lock.

England also make a scrum-half change, with Danny Care on for Alex Mitchell.

England are absolutely dominating this game with 14 men. It’s quite something to watch.

Their defence is absolutely suffocating and Argentina can gain no foothold, impetus or territory whatsoever.

Tuilagi’s best England display for years.

Daly to kick again this time from halfway, but it’s off target.

A brilliant turnover from Earl just before.

England 21-3 Argentina

21:32 , George Flood

58 mins: It’s chaos after an Argentina lineout is disrupted by Itoje and England have yet another penalty.

Automatic from Ford and it’s an 18-point England lead.

Who saw this coming after that nightmare start?!

England 18-3 Argentina

21:31 , George Flood

55 mins: Joe Marler enters the fray in place of Ellis Genge on the other side of the England front row.

Argentina have brought on locks Guido Petti and Pedro Rubiolo plus back-up tighthead Joel Sclavi.

England 18-3 Argentina

21:26 , George Flood

52 mins: OOOF!

Tuilagi - who has been packing down at flanker with no Curry - has just smashed fellow centre Chocobares into another dimension.

Great strength and anticipation from Itoje to win the penalty at the breakdown and Ford sends over another!

A 15-point lead now. This is just excellent from England.

England 15-3 Argentina

21:23 , George Flood

50 mins: Brilliant from livewire Mitchell who bursts down the England left and is just unable to set Daly away.

England’s first change sees Dan Cole replaced by Will Stuart at tighthead.

England 15-3 Argentina

21:21 , George Flood

48 mins: The unforced errors are piling up now for the Pumas, Chocobares now spilling forward in the sweaty heat to halt another short-lived attack.

To compound Argentina’s misery, they also give away a penalty at the subsequent scrum.

England 15-3 Argentina

21:17 , George Flood

45 mins: All the momentum still with 14-man England at the start of this second period.

Argentina are whistled for offside and Ford punishes them further, this time from the tee.

The lead grows to 12 points.

England 12-3 Argentina

21:11 , George Flood

Back underway at the Stade Velodrome!

An enormous 40 minutes ahead for England’s 14 men.

Can they go on to produce a famous victory in Marseille?

Argentina surely can’t be as flat as they were in the first half.

21:05 , George Flood

Watch: George Ford hits THREE drop goals for England

21:02 , George Flood

Here are all three of those George Ford drop goals in all their glory.

The first player to hit three in one game since Jonny Wilkinson in 2003!

21:01 , George Flood

England 12-3 Argentina

20:56 , George Flood

Half-time

England fell behind early and endured a nightmare start with Tom Curry’s third-minute yellow card for head-on-head contact with Juan Cruz Mallia upgraded to red following a bunker review.

But they have been incredibly spirited since then, with Ford knocking over three drop goals in just seven minutes to give the 14 men a nine-point lead at the interval.

Superb stuff from England’s No10. Argentina not at the races at all so far, despite their one-man advantage.

England 12-3 Argentina

20:54 , George Flood

39 mins: Rattled Argentina have been cranking up the pressure at the set-piece to try and hit back before the break.

But England hold their nerve and end up with the put-in at the latest scrum.

If they keep possession of the ball here, it will be rifled straight out of play for half-time.

And that is indeed what happens.

England 12-3 Argentina

20:52 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

Three drop goals from Ford hand England a 12-3 lead that is barely deserved but will do very nicely.

Argentina will be kicking themselves for bungling a tap penalty move in England’s 22 that allowed Borthwick’s men back into the contest.

England 12-3 Argentina

20:50 , George Flood

36 mins: He’s done it again!

George charges out from the back of a maul to gain crucial metres for England, who are deep inside the Pumas’ 22.

Ford then duly bangs over a THIRD successful drop goal, this time from close range.

Extraordinary.

England 9-3 Argentina

20:48 , George Flood

35 mins: Santiago Carreras proves no George Ford as his own drop-goal attempt misses the mark.

Now Matera has clattered into Steward after an aerial take, with the England fans inside the Stade Velodrome baying for a card.

It doesn’t come.

England 9-3 Argentina

20:46 , George Flood

33 mins: Surging with confidence after those Ford drop goals and a flying defence, England are almost in down the right flank but Marchant can’t play in May.

England 9-3 Argentina

20:44 , George Flood

31 mins: GEORGE FORD, TAKE A BOW!

The experienced fly-half takes another drop-goal attempt from the halfway line and sends it sailing through the middle.

Absolutely superb. All the momentum is with England, who now lead by six points despite being a man down.

Borthwick will be delighted at the moment. Argentina look so ragged.

England 6-3 Argentina

20:42 , George Flood

29 mins: A great effort from Daly, but it doesn’t quite make it.

England then pile forward on the chase, with Marchant wrecking shop.

This is really spirited stuff from Borthwick’s men at the moment.

England 6-3 Argentina

20:42 , George Flood

29 mins: Daly is going for a long-range attempt at the posts after Argentina are pinged for an infringement on the floor.

It’s a bold attempt from all of 60 metres!

England 6-3 Argentina

20:40 , George Flood

27 mins: Against the odds, England’s 14 men are ahead!

After that brilliant crash through the middle from the ever-imposing Tuilagi, Ford senses the opportunity to let fly with a drop-goal attempt.

And it’s on the money!

England 3-3 Argentina

20:39 , George Flood

26 mins: England kicking a lot here but the accuracy is lacking at the moment.

Argentina look to attack from deep following a lineout, but Mateo Carreras’ boot down the left flank skews out of play.

He’s furious with himself as England now try to build an attacking platform, with strong carries from the likes of Tuilagi and Genge.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:37 , George Flood

24 mins: Argentina don’t kick to the corner but instead take the tap and go for a training-ground move.

It proves to be the wrong decision as England’s ferocious but undermanned defence chop in with the tackles before skipper Lawes gets over the ball at the breakdown and earns a pressure-relieving penalty in front of his own line.

England celebrate like they’ve scored a try.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:35 , George Flood

22 mins: Argentina keep the ball in hand tight through the forwards close to the line.

Gallo stretches to place it down but that was clearly knocked on by the Pumas loosehead.

But Argentina were playing with an advantage and will come again. Kick to the corner?

England 3-3 Argentina

20:32 , George Flood

21 mins: This is real danger for England now as Matera does great work on the ground to set up the Pumas for a superb 50:22 kick from Chocobares that gives them the lineout just outside the England try line.

A real chance for them to strike with that trademark driving maul.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:30 , George Flood

19 mins: Back comes Santiago Carreras and Argentina have their numerical advantage now.

The Foul Play Review Officer - based at Roland Garros - felt yellow was sufficient punishment for his late clash into Ford.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:29 , George Flood

17 mins: Mitchell does his job as England’s turbo-charger as they start to put the phases together in attack while it’s still 14 vs 14.

The ball is shipped out right, where Earl tries to dink a clever low kick into the run of May.

However, he can’t execute and the chance is lost.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:25 , George Flood

And now the Carreras smash on fellow fly-half Ford.

This is still being reviewed in the bunker.

A very busy start for the officials in Marseille.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:25 , George Flood

Here is that Curry hit on Mallia, by the way.

Was the eventual red card deserved?

England 3-3 Argentina

20:24 , George Flood

13 mins: England’s discipline deserting them once again in the biggest matches, with Earl now penalised for hands on the floor.

It’s scrappy and physical stuff at the moment with both sides down to 14, with the first scrum now imminent.

Curry’s was England’s first ever red card at a World Cup, by the way.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:22 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

Disaster for England as Curry’s yellow card is upgraded to red on bunker review. Santiago Carreras’ yellow card for a silly shoulder charge on George Ford has both teams down to 14 men at this point.

But England now have to play almost the entire match a man light.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:19 , George Flood

11 mins: IT’S RED FOR TOM CURRY!

No mitigation and the yellow is upgraded.

An absolute horror show for England.

England 3-3 Argentina

20:19 , George Flood

10 mins: Cool as you like from Ford, who dusts himself down to step up and calmly dispatch the penalty.

All square in Marseille. Now the final Curry decision is coming...

England 0-3 Argentina

20:18 , George Flood

10 mins: It’s 14-men apiece inside 10 minutes!

Santiago Carreras goes to charge down a Ford kick and smashes into the Sale fly-half very recklessly indeed.

He joins Curry in the bin and again this will be reviewed in the bunker.

Now Ford will hope to level the score from the tee...

England 0-3 Argentina

20:16 , George Flood

7 mins: Still we wait to hear the final ruling on that Curry yellow.

Lawes is off his feet at the breakdown and Argentina have another kickable penalty, which is narrowly missed by Boffelli.

3-0 to the Pumas it remains. England need to get their discipline sorted here.

England 0-3 Argentina

20:13 , George Flood

5 mins: A superb kick from Boffelli punishes 14-man England immediately.

Borthwick will nervously be awaiting the final ruling of this bunker review.

Curry did wrap his arms and bent at the hip, which could well save him from the yellow being upgraded to red.

But the head-to-head contact was nasty.

England 0-0 Argentina

20:11 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

A horror start for England as Tom Curry is sin-binned for a clash of heads with Juan Cruz Mallia. Mallia goes for a head injury assessment, and Curry has to sit out the next 10 minutes.

England 0-0 Argentina

20:10 , George Flood

4 mins: It’s yellow for Curry and this could yet be worse as it goes to the bunker.

A nightmare for England.

England 0-0 Argentina

20:10 , George Flood

3 mins: Mitchell has started really well here and Steward then poses real danger.

Curry hits Mallia after the Argentine full-back takes the ball in the air and there’s a head-on-head collision, leading to some blood repairs for the England flanker.

It’s not immediately flagged, but the officials are now reviewing it. This could be trouble for England and Curry.

Matias Moroni is on for Malia as he goes off for a HIA.

England 0-0 Argentina

20:06 , George Flood

2 mins: A good start from England under pressure as they win the early aerial battle with a strong first set.

Mitchell standing up firm and holding his nerve.

But it’s Argentina doing all the early attacking, Santiago Carreras trying a chip over the top to put England under more pressure.

England vs Argentina

20:04 , George Flood

Kick-off in Marseille!

Argentina kick to get us underway, in their familiar blue and white striped home strips.

England in their blue/black away kits.

England vs Argentina

20:02 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

The match will kick-off with scores of fans not yet into the stadium because of the queue.

There will be no delay to kick-off but the stadium is nowhere near full. This is a real error from the organising committee and World Rugby.

20:01 , George Flood

England vs Argentina

20:00 , George Flood

Here come the teams at a rocking Stade Velodrome!

The banned Owen Farrell watches on as Courtney Lawes leads out England into a cacophony of noise at this brilliant 67,000-capacity arena, which is unrecognisable from the venue where the Red Rose beat Australia in the 2007 quarter-finals.

A number of empty seats are sadly visible with those ticketing problems outside.

Time for the national anthems, which will continue in the choir-style that has not proven popular at the tournament so far.

Argentina up first.

England vs Argentina

19:51 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

The Stade Velodrome has just been treated to two ‘who wants it?’ moments as first Argentina walked off the pitch in formation into the changing rooms, and the hordes of Pumas fans whipped up a vocal frenzy.

Then when England left the field, they did so to a chorus of cat calls and boos. Argentina’s fans are in charge here so far.

England vs Argentina

19:50 , George Flood

Final preparations on a sweltering night in Marseille! Kick-off is now just 10 minutes away.

19:45 , George Flood

Queues were also a big problem before Ireland’s Pool B opener against Romania in Bordeaux earlier on.

Really hope this doesn’t become a theme of the tournament.

England vs Argentina

19:36 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

With less than half an hour to go until kick-off, there are still huge queues to enter the stadium here in Marseille.

It will require some operation to filter everyone into the wider bowl and into their seat before this match gets underway.

Alex Mitchell ‘excited’ for World Cup chance after rollercoaster

19:31 , George Flood

There is a lot riding on Alex Mitchell’s shoulders tonight.

If England are to get the best of Argentina, it will be by winning the physical battles up front but also playing quick and effective front-foot rugby to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

That tempo will be set by Mitchell, who has gone from not even making Steve Borthwick’s World Cup squad to being thrust straight into the starting XV, preferred to two hugely experienced campaigners in Ben Youngs and Danny Care.

“For me it has been a bit of a rollercoaster, hasn’t it?” said Mitchell this week.

“Obviously out of the squad and now back in and getting a shot.

“I am just massively excited at getting an opportunity to play and put my hand up. I am looking forward to that.

“It has been a bit weird but; I’m excited. It’s massive. As a kid it’s the thing to dream of, playing at the top of the game.

“So, to start the first World Cup match is a massive honour. My family are massively proud of me.

“So, really looking forward to it and hopefully we can get a result.”

England vs Argentina

19:24 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

Olympique Marseille’s cauldron home of Stade Velodrome sits sunken into the earth, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Calanques Mountains.

The air in the arena was stifling enough due the unseasonal heatwave, but still not as close as the pressure on Steve Borthwick. England are a side that do not know their own identity.

This would be the perfect time to discover it. But there have been absolutely no signs across the warm-up matches that England can come good at the perfect time. Let us hope that the lack of indicator can come to mean nothing by the end of the night.

England vs Argentina

19:16 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

So here we are, finally. Months and months of hand-wringing, poor performances, worrying defeats and perhaps the worst possible preparation all melt away – because it is time for England versus Argentina in Marseille.

Thank every deity going that this match is about to happen. England’s coaches and squad are sick of talking about it, that’s for sure. So now it is high time for them to deliver.

Fail to win this match and Pool D becomes a real slugfest. Win and a lot of angst will evaporate on the Cote d’Azur air.

Borthwick insists England have been written off too early

19:05 , George Flood

Steve Borthwick has been in bullish mood in the build-up to this enormous clash, insisting the England squad believe they have been written off too soon after their terrible warm-up campaign.

The view in camp seems to be very much that England will surprise a lot of people as they look to take advantage of being placed on the weaker half of a lopsided draw conducted all the way back in 2023.

“It’s a fantastic tournament and everyone involved in the England team can’t wait to start it,” Borthwick told reporters.

“I sense there is a feeling among the players they’ve been written off too early. People have called time on them a bit too early.

“I think there is a lot of class in this squad. The players have a hell of a lot more to go.

“They can’t wait to get stuck in on Saturday night.”

18:53 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome

Dallaglio demands Borthwick passion on huge night

18:48 , George Flood

England must connect the head and the heart to be able to beat Argentina, writes World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio.

Steve Borthwick does not show his emotion physically, but I know the England head coach, I played with him – and he feels and cares just as deeply as anyone else. But if you cannot animate your feelings, then you absolutely must vocalise them.

England’s approach so far has appeared very controlled, very strategic. It is time for that to change, because this is the toughest game of Pool D — and it is first.

In the minutes before kick-off, when England are about to leave the changing rooms, there is still a place in rugby for a rousing speech. Rugby’s very technical and tactical, but you still have to be at the right emotional pitch to be able to win a World Cup match.

You must find the right emotional touch points within the players, that will connect the tissues together to produce a collective level of performance that can win this match.

Click here to read the column in full

18:37 , George Flood

Already a great pre-match atmosphere building on a lovely sun-kissed evening in Marseille, with no shortage of fans from both sides soaking up the World Cup experience.

Topsy Ojo: Carreras will punish England for sloppy kicking

18:29 , George Flood

Speaking of Newcastle flyer Mateo Carreras, he and fellow wing - plus expert goal-kicker - Emiliano Boffelli have been outlined as among the biggest threats to England’s chances of victory tonight.

Boffelli, lest we forget, kicked 25 points in the Pumas’ shock 30-29 win at Twickenham last November.

Writing in his pre-match column for Standard Sport, former England wing and London Irish legend Topsy Ojo said:

Mateo Carreras is a ridiculous rugby player, a real livewire and a major threat to England in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina.

Anyone who has seen him play for Newcastle will know he can score a try from anywhere, out of anything.

England will be very wary of kicking loosely to the Pumas’ finishing king. Kick well, chase well and compete, no problem — kick poorly, chase poorly, and a player of his quality will make any team pay.

Argentina are strong and very settled, boasting huge experience and power in the pack. Julian Montoya has shown his class at Leicester, while huge men like Tomas Lavanini and Marcos Kremer are imposing figures.

Santiago Carreras features more at full-back than fly-half at Gloucester, but has warmed to his task at No10 for the Pumas now.

Click here to read the column in full

England vs Argentina key battles

18:19 , George Flood

Jonny May vs Mateo Carreras

Newcastle wing Carreras seems to produce a highlights-reel try every time he sets foot on the Kingston Park pitch.

The deadly broken-field runner will be desperate to get on the ball.

May will want the same opportunities in attack but must also keep total focus in defence.

England vs Argentina key battles

18:11 , George Flood

Maro Itoje vs Tomas Lavanini

Itoje will call England’s lineout, so must subdue powerhouse Lavanini in the aerial set-piece battle.

That will take all of Itoje’s vast intellect, while Lavanini will look to turn the screw on England.

Itoje must return to his destructive best to subdue the Pumas enforcer.

England vs Argentina key battles

18:07 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal outlines three individual player battles that will be crucial to the outcome of tonight’s game.

Jamie George vs Julian Montoya

Two leaders, two set-piece exponents and two men itching to get on the ball.

George has tied together some of Saracens’ finest successes, while Montoya drove Leicester to the 2022 title.

The more accurate and ferocious operator will claim the edge.

18:01 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal has arrived at the Stade Velodrome, with Marseille basking in the heat.

It’s still around 27 degrees at the moment at 7pm local time.

England vs Argentina prediction

17:51 , George Flood

The Pumas are perhaps the worst type of opponent for England to play in their World Cup opener. Talented, physical, dogged and determined, it will be interesting to see if the Red Rose can lift themselves out of the doldrums.

Even if they can, they may struggle nonetheless and Argentina could prove too ruthless as they seek a statement victory, having also beat England at Twickenham for the first time in 16 years last autumn.

Argentina team news

17:48 , George Flood

Toulouse’s Juan Cruz Mallia is back for Argentina tonight, starting at 15 and also providing fly-half cover for Gloucester’s Santiago Carreras.

Michael Cheika, clearly anticipating an ultra-physical showdown at the Stade Velodrome, has beefed up his Pumas bench with an additional forward to make it a 6-2 split.

"We have a lot of confidence in Mallia and in his role," former Australia coach Cheika said this week.

"The first game he played for Toulouse was at fly-half. (He will) touch the ball many times more when he plays at fly-half, a position that requires more responsibility.”

Argentina are captained by Leicester hooker Julian Montoya.

England team news

17:42 , George Flood

The headline team news from an England perspective is that two players who did not even make Steve Borthwick’s original World Cup squad start the Pool D opener in Marseille.

With Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson both lost for the whole tournament through injury, Northampton’s six-cap livewire Alex Mitchell is expected to turbo-charge the attack from scrum-half after being picked ahead of veterans Ben Youngs and Danny Care.

On the wing Borthwick has opted for the vast experience of Jonny May, called up instead of the likes of younger trio Cadan Murley, Adam Radwan and Tommy Freeman.

George Ford partners Mitchell at half-back and Courtney Lawes takes the armband again with Owen Farrell suspended for the first two matches in France.

Ben Earl deputises at number eight with Saracens team-mate Billy Vunipola also banned.

England vs Argentina lineups

17:36 , George Flood

England XV: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole; Itoje, Chessum; Lawes (c), Curry, Earl

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Martin, Ludlam, Care, Smith, Lawrence

Argentina XV: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (c), Kodela; Alemanno, Lavanini; Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez

Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Petti, Rubiolo, Bruni, Velez, Moroni

Where to watch England vs Argentina

17:35 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will be broadcast live on free-to-air channel ITV1, with coverage starting at 7:15pm.

Live stream: Fans will be able to watch a free live stream online via the ITVX website and app.

Welcome to England vs Argentina live coverage

17:29 , George Flood

England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign starts here.

It’s been a horrendous build-up to the tournament by anyone’s standards, but Steve Borthwick’s side remain confident nevertheless and are aiming to shut off all the mounting negativity generated by a woeful year thus far and hopefully issue a stern riposte to their critics with a rousing victory over main Pool D rivals Argentina in Marseille.

A win would be a mighty relief for Borthwick after six defeats from his first nine games in charge as Eddie Jones’ successor, while yet another loss would certainly not spell the end for England’s World Cup hopes already, but it would certainly make their task tougher and pile on yet more questions and pessimism over the future of the team.

Kick-off in the headline fixture of a four-game day two is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest team news plus lineups and match build-up.

We’ll have blow-by-blow updates after kick-off, featuring expert analysis from the Evening Standard’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at the Stade Velodrome.