England v Argentina LIVE: Rugby World Cup build-up, team news and latest updates
Steve Borthwick is under the microscope ahead of the World Cup in France
England begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina in Marseille searching for confidence after desperately poor preparation for the showpiece event in France.
Steve Borthwick announced when he became England head coach that the side he had seen under Eddie Jones in the autumn “weren’t good at anything”. But after a turbulent start, and nine matches later, he is yet to inspire much confidence that the good times are near. And England’s challenge for this difficult opening fixture is only made harder by ill discipline, with captain Owen Farrell and likely starting No 8 Billy Vunipola both suspended for high tackles.
Follow live score updates, analysis and reaction from the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips and odds here.
Recommended
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
The Rugby World Cup starts on September 8 when host nation France take on New Zealand, in a match set to kick-start a thrilling competition.
An unbalanced draw sets up intrigue where sides other than the favourites of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa could go further into the tournament than expected.
Here is a full guide to all the squads taking part in the tournament in France.
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
With the tournament drawing closer, teams have begun announcing their 33-man squads
Toothless England look to leaders in search of unlikely Rugby World Cup triumph
It is on a wing and a prayer that England will begin their Rugby World Cup. When Eddie Jones picked the youngest side to compete in a World Cup final four years ago in Yokohama, the thought was that the same group would be back again this time around, older, stronger, better, and ready for another title tilt.
The errors since that have left England in this parlous state, where progression from the pool cannot be deemed a certainty, are almost too numerous to catalogue.
Steve Borthwick’s side will begin their tournament without captain Owen Farrell and likely starting number eight Billy Vunipola, both suspended after high tackles. Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson, two presumed backline starters, are absent, too, due to injury. In attack they remain toothless; in defence, porous – and the deep strife in which English rugby finds itself hardly suggests a buoyant rugby public ready to get behind their side.
Toothless England look to leaders in search of unlikely Rugby World Cup triumph
England, beaten finalists four years ago, would appear to have limited hope of a deep tournament run
Source: Read Full Article
