Despite initially being left out of the 33-man squad, Alex Mitchell and Jonny May have secured starting spots for England in their World Cup opening match against Argentina.
Scrum-half Mitchell and wing May were added to Steve Borthwick’s squad at the last minute due to injuries suffered by Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson.
As England, currently ranked eighth in the world, stumbled in three out of their four warm-up matches leading up to the World Cup, they now gear up to contend with Japan, Chile, and Samoa in Pool D.
The top two teams from this group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Borthwick said:
“With an excellent week of preparation in Le Touquet, the players are now looking forward to starting their Rugby World Cup campaign under the lights in Marseille on Saturday.
“After a number of impressive performances in the last 12 months by Argentina, we know that the first game in our pool will provide a stern test.
“This great tournament provides an excitingly special opportunity for our players, who I know, as ever, will be giving their all in front of our travelling support in the south of France.”
England team to play Argentina;
England: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole; Itoje, Chessum; Lawes (capt), Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Martin, Ludlam, Care, Smith, Lawrence.
Social reaction:
One fan wrote: “Negatives : Dan Cole starting, no Jack Willis in squad. Positives: No Ben Youngs”
A second commented: “Lawes at 6 again. When will it end.”
Another wrote: “Dan Cole….deary me,”
A fourth said: “Dan Cole starting, nailed on for about 7 penalties in the first half then alone. I have no faith in Borthwick or his tactics (or lack of) but I hope we win despite that. Come on lads!!”
“Jack Willis should be in that squad.” said another
More positively, one fan commented: “Only 3 words matter now that the team is up “Come on England”
A second said: “Decent looking side, will need to be on form against a strong Argentinian 23. The last 4 weeks don’t matter now – come on boys!!”
The 100 best rugby players in the world have been named and ranked, Owen Farrell 63rd
With less than a fortnight remaining until the commencement of the Rugby World Cup, the rugby specialists at Telegraph Sport have collaboratively assessed and ranked the top 100 players globally.
Presented below is the comprehensive list, starting from the 100th spot and culminating at the first position.
100. Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
99. Tommaso Menoncello (Italy)
98. Franco Mostert (South Africa)
97. Paul Alo-Emile (Samoa)
96. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
95 Juan Martín González (Argentina)
94. Jasper Wiese (South Africa)
93. Damian Willemse (South Africa)
92. Mark Telea (New Zealand)
91. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
90. Handré Pollard (South Africa)
89. James Lowe (Ireland)
88. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
87. Paul Willemse (France)
86. Shannon Frizell (New Zealand)
85. Freddie Steward (England)
They wrote: “The best England player to emerge in this four-year cycle, without question. Steward has come a long way from having to ditch a shift in Costa to turn out for Leicester in the Premiership Rugby Cup, to becoming England’s specialist diffuser under the high ball at full-back while hoovering up a number of awards. The potential is enormous, and he should thrive at his first World Cup.”
84. Thibaud Flament (France)
83. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
82. Matthieu Jalibert (France)
81.. Jac Morgan (Wales)